Written answers

Wednesday, 24 May 2006

Department of Health and Children

Anti-Poverty Strategy

9:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that for all the major fatal diseases, the incidence of premature death among the lower socio-economic groups was far higher than those of the higher-economic groups; and the action she will take in relation to the national health policy. [20044/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Health Strategy 'Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You' and various reports of the Chief Medical Officer, have underlined the links between poverty and ill health, which exist both in an Irish context and internationally.

The National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) encompasses key elements of the Government's response to the problems of poverty and social exclusion. The Government's 2002 Review of the NAPS Building an Inclusive Society included for the first time targets to reduce health inequalities. These targets are being addressed through a range of policy measures and actions set out in the National Health Strategy and associated strategies. Because of the wide range of factors, commonly referred to as the social determinants of health, which affect health status and health inequalities, the National Health Strategy recognises the need for a greater focus on multi-sectoral work and co-ordinated work across Government Departments.

The National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion for 2003-2005 and an Implementation and Update Report on the Plan published in June 2005 by the Office for Social Inclusion in the Department of Social and Family Affairs, outline some of the policy measures and actions being taken across government departments, including the Department of Health and Children, to improve the position of lower socioeconomic groups and others at risk of social exclusion. The Department is currently working closely with the Office for Social Inclusion in the development of the National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion 2006-2008.

As part of the restructuring of the Department in the context of the health reform programme, a Social Inclusion Unit was established in October 2005 which has brought together aspects of the Department's co-ordination work on health inequalities and its remit in relation to a number of vulnerable groups. This is facilitating a focused and co-ordinated approach to social inclusion and health inequality issues.

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