John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. Despite all our best efforts, the issue of obesity has increased significantly in recent years. At the outset, I reflect that when I was a teenager - I looked at the figures - less than 1% of children were deemed to be obese at that stage. Current figures are that 9% to 10% are obese and one in four children are classed as overweight. When we look at lifestyles and activity, we know that we would have all walked to school. We see the schools and the type of food there is now. Most fast food chains did not even exist in this country when I was young so there have been significant changes.

The Minister said in her response that it is everyone's responsibility and I acknowledge that and I do not attach total responsibility to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs but my real concern is the opportunity the Minister has in terms of getting youth work to engage with young people proactively. We do it for other issues where we engage young people so that they avoid the misuse of drugs and other activities but the Minister talks about enhancing the skill base of those youth workers and this is where the opportunity is. I would like to see a more proactive approach in that regard.

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