John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount the Government invested in health promotion in 2005, the percentage of the overall health budget this constitutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15393/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount the Government invested in health promotion in 2005; the percentage of the overall health budget that constitutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15635/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 159 together.

My Department is committed to the promotion of health in its broadest sense and with regard to the healthy lifestyles and behaviours among the Irish population. The health promotion policy unit is charged with the development and roll-out of health promotion policies and initiatives.

In 2005 the total spend for health promotion activities by the health promotion policy unit was €9.6 million. Over half of the total budget was allocated for various awareness raising campaigns, information development and dissemination. The balance provided for health promotion policy development and implementation. The health promotion unit spend represented 2.52% of the overall Department budget in 2005.

The Health Service Executive also makes a significant annual investment into health promotion activities as part of its responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to forward details of its investment in health promotion directly to the Deputy.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the amount allocated to cancer services for 2006; the breakdown of where these funds are going; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15507/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy in 1997, approximately €920 million has been invested in the development of cancer services. The Vote for the Health Service Executive in 2006 includes an additional €9 million to continue to meet the additional service pressures in cancer care, improve the quality of care, facilitate better access to radiation oncology services and to continue the preparation for the national cervical screening programme.

The allocation of these funds, and funding for cancer services generally, is 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 respond directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.