Written answers

Friday, 7 September 2018

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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569. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the National Men's Health Policy 2008-2013; if a similar policy approach exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35426/18]

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland was the first country in the world to adopt a National Men's Health Policy (2008-2013).

In 2013 the Government approved and launched Healthy Ireland, our national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the country over the coming generation. Healthy Ireland is significantly focussed on addressing health inequalities, including those arising as a result of gender, and is the over-arching context within which we are addressing the relevant issues.

Following a review of the Men's Health Policy, the Department of Health and the HSE jointly developed and are implementing a new plan - "Healthy Ireland: Men 2017-2021, the National Men's Health Action Plan"- which provides a continued focus on health inequalities experienced by men, and the momentum with which to tackle them.

The Department of Health and the HSE are working with a range of stakeholders, including the Men’s Development Network, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Sport Ireland, local authorities, local Sports Partnerships, the Irish Heart Foundation and other partners in order to deliver programmes and services to men at a local level, with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing.

The Department of Health and the HSE also support the annual Men's Health Week, which is co-ordinated by the Men's Health Forum in Ireland and which myself and Minister Harris launched in May of this year.

Finally, the Department of Health and the HSE have also recently contributed to the development of a new strategy on the health and wellbeing of men in the World Health Organization European Region which is keen to learn about and share the experience of our collaborative working and approach in Ireland.

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