Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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150. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of an updated child health programme to replace the best health for children programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/17]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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A significant amount of work has been undertaken by the Health Service Executive in recent years to update the child health programme which is now called The National Healthy Childhood Programme. The new programme takes account of notable developments in newborn screening, emerging evidence on developmental surveillance and increased evidence of effective health promoting interventions, as well as the changing policy and strategic context set out in recent policy documents such as:

- Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025;

- Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020; and

- Creating a Better Future Together - The National Maternity Strategy 2016 - 2026.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with more detailed information on the Programme.