Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 381: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will review and reform the health promotion unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Health promotion is a key element of any modern health system. This Government will place a heavy emphasis on prevention. Historically, while we have been happy to spend many millions on cutting edge technology to deal with the end result of poor lifestyle choices, we have been slow to spend sufficient funds on preventing those behaviours in the first place. By focusing on prevention we will not only save the taxpayer considerable money by avoiding expensive treatments but also, and even more importantly, we will provide our citizens with a much better quality of life. The Health Promotion Unit in my Department will play a vital role in advancing policy in this area.