Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the findings of a report in August 2008 by the Institute of Public Health and the Combat Poverty Agency which indicates that 5,400 people here die prematurely each year as a result of social inequality and deprivation; the plans she has to address the problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32168/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The report to which the Deputy refers is the recently launched joint Institute of Public Health/Combat Poverty Agency publication "Tackling Health Inequalities: An-All Ireland Approach to Social Determinants". The report examines the influence of social, economic and environmental factors on health, such as poor housing, nutrition and education, across the island of Ireland and advocates a whole-of-Government approach across a range of policies to address and tackle inequalities in health among low income groups; it draws on a range of national and international research — including research published in 2002 by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland.

Addressing health inequalities is a common challenge for health systems across the world. As with many other countries, the Irish health sector is strongly committed to implementing a range of measures aimed at tackling and reducing health inequalities. Measures taken include the establishment, in late 2005 as part of the health reform process, of a dedicated Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of Health and Children to co-ordinate the Department's work on health inequalities and policies in relation to vulnerable groups. An important element of the work of this Unit is to develop policy and services aimed at addressing the specific health needs of vulnerable groups such as Travellers, the homeless, drug users, prisoners and asylum seekers. An additional, and equally important, element of the Unit's work, is to co-ordinate measures across other health policy areas that seek to promote greater social inclusion and equity in health generally. Actions are being pursued in conjunction with a range of stakeholders both within and outside the health services and with local communities.

In addition, social inclusion-relevant aspects of existing health strategies and plans feature in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, published in June 2006 and in Ireland's National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, Building an Inclusive Society 2007-2016 (NAPinclusion), published in February 2007 which details a number of health commitments aimed at tackling and reducing health inequalities and improving the health status of the more vulnerable members of our society. The health sector also strongly supports the social determinants approach to tackling health inequalities. One way in which it seeks to advance a more integrated approach to policy on key cross-cutting social issues is through the Department of Health and Children's participation in the Seniors Officials Group on Social Inclusion which operates under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.