Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to expedite the delivery of a national strategy for tackling obesity, with a cross-departmental group to ensure implementation, with regular reports to Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18297/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government has agreed to the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) which will facilitate intersectoral collaboration on the prevention of chronic diseases. It is intended that measures to tackle obesity and to promote good health will be advanced through the IDG. My Department will be publishing our first National Nutrition Policy later this year. Recommendations will focus, primarily, on the nutrition needs of the 0-18 year age group.

My Department and the Department of Education and Science have been involved in developing healthy eating guidelines for schools. Guidelines for preschools and primary schools are already developed and appropriate healthy eating training by community dieticians with preschool and primary school staff is currently underway. Post-primary school guidelines will be launched in the coming weeks. Guidelines on levels of physical activity are currently being devised by the Population Health Directorate of the Health Service Executive.

The Chronic Disease Framework, which I launched on the 10th April 2008, acknowledges the burden of chronic disease and the need for an integrated approach on prevention to tackle lifestyle factors including obesity. The Cardiovascular Health Policy Group, due to report this summer, will also be advising on measures to tackle lifestyle issues like obesity, at population level as well as in the primary care setting.

The Health Service Executive has established a Working Group to implement the recommendations of The Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity, for which it has the lead responsibility. A sum of €3 million was allocated for this purpose in 2006. This in addition to the annual spend of €25 million on health promotion activities, €5 million of which is utilised in anti-obesity initiatives.