Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to present to her on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Apologies for her absence today.

The Healthy Ireland framework and action plan form our national road maps to support good physical, mental and sexual health well-being, including children's health priorities such as preventing obesity, increasing physical activity levels and minimising underage tobacco and alcohol use. The national sex health strategy contains information on educational measures to support children in learning about their bodies, reproduction, safe sex, the importance of sexually transmitted infections, contraception and consent in an age-appropriate way from primary school to senior cycle. Learning about health and well-being across the life course is included in the well-being and SPHE curriculums in our schools, supported by the HSE which works with the education system.

Healthy Ireland collaborates with local authorities and committee partners through the healthy city and counties and Sláintecare healthy communities programmes, and supports Ireland's most disadvantaged areas. The period dignity programme supports women and girls living in period poverty. The Sláintecare healthy communities programme includes parenting, cooking and diet support programmes for families with children aged up to 12 years and engages with families and children living in disadvantaged areas.

On supporting increased physical activity levels and child obesity prevention, the Department of Health works closely with Sport Ireland and the Department of Education to promote physical activity in schools through the active school flag and cycling safety supports. A core objective of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is to address young people's relationship with alcohol, delaying the age at which they begin. These are some of the measures to reduce access to alcohol for young people and create an environment free from alcohol.

I listened to the Senator's contribution, and heard her raise some valid points around the importance of cybersafety. She spoke of the need for programmes not only targeting children, who may already have an awareness level, but also engaging with parents. I agree with her 100% that we need to target resources at parents. I will, of course, take the opportunity, on foot of the Senator's contribution, to raise this with the Minister. I have no doubt the Senator will raise it directly with her, and probably has on previous occasions. It is important, considering the totality of the other measures around health, the risk of alcohol abuse and the overall health measures for children, that part of the integrated approach should also take account of cybersafety. Safety is part and parcel of parental awareness of what is happening. I will be very pleased to take the comments of the Senator back to the Minister.