Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 23: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the input she has had to date to the special action group on obesity established by the Department of Health; the actions taken by her in 2011 to tackle the issue of childhood obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40304/11]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address childhood obesity. [40381/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 44 together.

My Department is represented on the Special Action Group on Obesity established by the Minister for Health. Evidence from the Growing Up in Ireland Study and other research shows that obesity among children is a major issue of policy. Finding solutions will require an integrated approach across Government and my Department will contribute to that effort.

The direct actions I have taken in 2011 to tackle the issue of childhood obesity involved refocusing areas under my direct responsibility such as national play and recreation polices, to assist and encourage local authorities in playing their part in getting children, young people and adults alike to lead more active lives. I am the process of setting up the first formal network of play and recreation officers from local authorities. This will help to ensure that we have a more coordinated approach to both the provision of services at local level and the improved promotion of the concept of physical exercise and non sedentary activities for children and young people, at national level. I believe that the local authority network can contribute significantly to the already well established national play day and national recreation week initiatives increasing participation even further and ensuring that the enormous potential for such events is maximised. I am greatly encouraged by the growth in popularity of such events in recent years as evidence that local communities themselves are becoming more aware of the importance of play and recreation and physical activity generally in the lives of children and young people.

Growing Up in Ireland, the National Longitudinal Study, which is funded by my Department has also been enormously helpful in identifying the rates of childhood obesity and data emerging from Growing Up in Ireland, particularly the recently published report 'Overweight and Obesity among 9-Year-Old Children in Ireland' signals where we need to continue focussing our efforts.