Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the initiatives that are ongoing by her Department to reduce the level of obesity in this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2597/08]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity, "Obesity — the Policy Challenges", was published in 2005 and contained 93 recommendations aimed at tackling overweight and obesity. The Health Service Executive has established a Working Group to implement the health sector recommendations of the Task Force on Obesity for which the HSE has the lead responsibility and for which €3 million has been allocated.

The Taskforce and my Department recognise that a multi-sectoral approach is necessary, involving other state agencies and government departments and real engagement of the public and private sectors to implement the report's recommendations. My Department continues to liaise with other Government Departments and is at present working through the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion, Children and Integration to progress implementation of the Taskforces's recommendations.