Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2005

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Waiting Lists

10:00 pm

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to aid St. Columcille's Hospital in view of the warning from the hospital, Ireland's only obesity clinic, that there are 500 persons on waiting lists and that it is estimated that 30 persons will die while on the waiting lists; the measures she is taking to combat obesity here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35487/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

A national task force on obesity was established in March 2004 to address the growing levels of obesity in Ireland. It was set up in response to the Slán survey results which were published in 2003 and comprised key stakeholders. The report from the task force, Obesity — the Policy Challenges, was published on 16 May 2005 and makes 93 recommendations aimed at tackling overweight and obesity. An implementation plan for the report is being developed by my Department to progress its recommendations and additional funding of €3 million has been made available to the Health Service Executive in the Book of Estimates to support the implementation of the report's recommendations. It is envisaged this plan will involve the participation of all relevant stakeholders.

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