Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Health the recommendations of the 2005 task force on obesity which have been implemented to date; the plans to implement the remainder of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the State of obesity and related illnesses each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together.

The National Task Force on Obesity completed its work in 2005. They estimated the direct health care costs of obesity for 2002 at some €70 million and the cost of deaths from obesity at up to €4bn per annum. An Inter-Sectoral Group on Obesity, comprising relevant Government Departments and key stake-holders, was established early in 2009 to oversee and monitor implementation of the Task Force recommendations. Its report, published in April 2009, detailed the progress made on each of the 93 recommendations. It showed that significant progress was made in the case of 32% of the recommendations, partial implementation occurred on 31%, action progressed on a further 28%, leaving 9% where little progress was reported.

Since 2009 work on initiatives to tackle obesity is continuing and progress has been made in a number of key areas, including the development of national physical activity guidelines and treatment algorithms for health care professionals. Earlier this year I established a Special Action Group on Obesity to identify and progress a number of issues to address the problem of obesity. The Group is concentrating on a range of measures such as calorie posting in restaurants, the introducing of a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, the restriction of marketing of high salt, fat and sugary food and drink to children, healthy eating guidelines, the detection and treatment of obesity and the promotion of physical activity. The Group will liaise with other Government Departments and organisations as required.