Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

Thankfully, the issue of men's health has received a lot more attention in recent years, as the statistics are pretty stark. According to the Movember report, 42% of all male deaths in 2022 were premature, with the male death rate higher across all five leading causes of death. These are members of our families dying prematurely and leaving behind an irreplaceable hole in their communities. The impact of Covid should not be underestimated. The pandemic was a perfect storm for many who suffered from or were susceptible to poor mental health. We all know the people who suffered during Covid. Active communities were suddenly isolated and the essential links that people had to one another were severed. Thankfully, we are all in a much better place now but we cannot ignore what happened in Covid and the lasting impact it has had on so many. Those unprecedented times may make for great history books but were potentially catastrophic for the health and well-being of our communities.

Unfortunately, many men are still reluctant to seek care or treatment, or even speak about mental health challenges. This reluctance is often rooted in stigma and old societal norms that are still with us. This is especially problematic in deprived areas where men's life expectancy is five years lower than those living in affluent areas. Increasing awareness and access to mental health resources is important if we want to make progress. That is why the implementation of the men's health action plan, as outlined in the programme for Government, is an important step in raising public awareness of men's physical, mental and emotional health and the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles and behaviours.

The previous speaker mentioned the men's sheds, which are a really positive and practical movement. Many of these in my own constituency are funded by central government. They bring men together and give them an outlet. Ireland was the first country in the world to publish a national men's health policy in 2009. We led the way then and we can do so again by making sure that men's health gets the attention, support and priority it deserves.

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