Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on data from surveys that indicate that one in five boys and girls here are overweight and one in twenty are obese; the steps she is taking to address this growing problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21317/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health & Children is concerned about the increase in childhood overweight and obesity. I presume the Deputy is referring to The National Survey of Children's Dental Health (2005). Their research showed that at least 18% of children aged 4 to 16 years were overweight and at least 5% were obese.

The following steps are being taken to address this growing problem. A National Taskforce on Obesity was established by this Department which reported in 2005. This report made comprehensive recommendations aimed at tackling overweight and obesity. These relate to actions across six broad sectors: high-level government; education; social and community; health; food, commodities, production and supply; and the physical environment. A proposal for a Health Improvement Forum through which the recommendations of the Taskforce Report could be implemented is being developed. This Forum will focus on the broader determinants of health and reducing health inequalities in our society.

The implementation of some of the health sector recommendations of the Taskforce report is already underway. The Health Service Executive have been allocated €3 million revenue funding, which is being used to provide Specialist Community Dietitian and Physical Activity posts for obesity and weight management and for the development of Specialist Hospital Services for obesity treatment at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. The Department of Health and Children is currently developing a National Nutrition Policy and this policy will provide strategic direction on nutrition for the next 10 years. The target group is young people, 0-18 years, and the priority actions are obesity and food poverty. A national consultation has taken place and the policy is due to be published later this year.