Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, to the House. I call on Senator Noone and she has four minutes.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State. The obesity epidemic is an issue that I have been vocal about for some time and my Commencement matter pertains to children in particular.

The Minister of State will be aware of recent figures. I was shocked by one figure in particular which claimed that over the next 14 years, or by 2020, we will spend approximately €4.3 billion a year on health-related obesity costs. To a health service that is already struggling such a cost deserves serious consideration. There has also been a 65% rise in diabetes in the UK in the past ten years. A similar study has not been conducted in Ireland but we are following a similar trend, if not a worse one, than the UK. Such figures are very significant from that point of view.Obesity robs children of their health and vitality. It is an issue we are not taking seriously enough in this country. One in four children is either overweight or obese. We will soon be talking about one in three children being overweight or obese if we do not begin to take the issue more seriously. Pinning the blame on parents simply will not wash. In the long term, we have to take a societal approach. One such measure is imposing a "no fry zone" near schools. It is a catchy headline. The reality is that if children are able to make an unhealthy choice, they are more likely to make it. I propose that within a 500 m radius of a school, one should not be allowed to build or use a premises as a chipper. There are chippers in many towns around the country but this is not about banning chippers or chips or anything of the sort. It is simply about getting children to make healthier choices. It is a bit like removing sweets from the till, which many supermarkets have done. It helps in dealing with pester power and in making better choices.

I reiterate that I am not down on chippers as a business. It is not that I think children should not eat any fried food. Why not occasionally? It is just that some of these outlets target children on their lunch break or after school with deals to get them eating their food. They are business people and they have to make a living. One can understand why it happens. There is some international evidence to back this up. In a study carried out in California, students with a fast food restaurant near their schools consumed much less fruit and vegetables, consumed more fizzy drinks and were more likely to be overweight or obese. Obviously this is an issue for development plans in the council. When it comes to planning, it is a local government issue but the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government should have some policy when it comes to this issue and should encourage local government to come up with a reasonable proposal for a "no fry zone" near schools. It has simply gone beyond the stage where we need to do something about the issue of growing obesity levels in the country. I look forward to hearing from the Minister of State on the matter.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to set out the position in respect of this matter.

In the first instance, I wish to clarify that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government does not have a role in imposing a so-called "no fry zones" in particular areas. However, the Department has a role in advising planning authorities, through statutory guidelines, as regards the structure and content of their local area plans. In this regard, I confirm that the Department has advised planning authorities that in adopting local area plans for their areas, that they may, in certain circumstances, adopt policies to curtail an excessive concentrations of takeaways in particular areas. The advice given was outlined in planning guidelines on local area plans published in June 2013 and to which planning authorities must have regard to in the discharge of their functions under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

These guidelines recognise the important role of planning in promoting and facilitating active and healthy living patterns for local communities. For example, section 5 of these guidelines offers advice regarding the structure and content of local area plans and sets out a range of policies that can be put in place to promote and facilitate active and healthy living patterns. These include: promoting of walking and cycling as modes of transport; accessibility to public open spaces, recreation and sports facilities; proximity of new development to sustainable travel modes; provision of play areas; and careful consideration of the appropriateness of the location of fast food outlets in the vicinity of schools and parks.One particular effect of these guidelines with regard to fast food outlets is that consideration be given to the appropriateness of their location in the vicinity of schools and parks, for example, in a new development area, while at the same time taking account of wider land use considerations. However, with regard to the many schools located in or near town centres, restrictions of fast food outlets in such situations must be considered carefully on a case-by-case basis in view of the mix of existing use typically found in core urban areas.

In addition, planning policies with regard to the location of fast food outlets must be considered within the wider policy context of practical steps that can be taken to promote more widely and facilitate active healthy living patterns by enhancing the scope for activities such as walking, cycling, sports and active leisure pursuits and their associated facilities.

I do not merely speak with regard to the Department's position but that of all Departments when stating the pursuit of healthy lifestyles requires a holistic approach that requires a much broader public health discussion. I am confident, however, that the guidance the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government offers to planning authorities in this regard fulfils an important role in achieving that goal. I thank the Senator.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State and will respond briefly. I note the comment in the reply given by the Minister of State regarding the Department's position to the effect that the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle requires a holistic approach, which requires a much broader health discussion. I know that and do not suggest that were one to implement a no-fry zone around schools, the obesity crisis would suddenly disappear. It obviously would not solve the crisis single-handedly and the issue of fast food restaurants near schools is not the sole reason for obesity. I welcome that under section 5 of the guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, careful consideration should be taken of the appropriateness of the location of fast food outlets in the vicinity of schools and parks when it comes to planning. However, I refer to a specific provision in the case of a new business that seeks to set up near a school and do not believe that should be left to chance. There should be specific policy embedded in legislation whereby it is not possible to have a fast food outlet in close proximity to a school.

While I welcome that some positive measures are outlined in what was a good reply, the Government must go further. I thank the Minister of State.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Senator. While this undoubtedly is an important issue, as indicated within the body of the original reply, the guidelines give power to local government regarding new developments. The Senator highlighted this point in respect of section 5 of these guidelines. There is a specific problem regarding existing businesses that would be within 500 m and I acknowledge the Senator accepts completely that point. However, there must be much greater concentration on local area plans at local government level, which can give those guidelines to the planning authorities to show there is a concern with regard to the location of fast food outlets. In my constituency, a burger outlet sought to open right next door to a school but it was refused planning permission for some of the reasons the Senator outlined. Consequently, in some cases, there is a robustness to the existing guidelines. However, this is a holistic endeavour and is not simply a matter for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is about education and all the different factors, as well as working with the commercial sector. However, it also is a parental issue and I do not dismiss the influence parents have in this regard.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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That is the primary influence.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There must be a much stronger emphasis on parental skills in this regard. I believe this to be one of the major challenges Irish society will face in the coming years but the Senator has a fantastic track record in highlighting this issue. I again thank her for raising it.

Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State.