Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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392. To ask the Minister for Health the role his Department is playing in the winter ready campaign; the expenditure his Department will incur in this campaign; and the details of expenditure on external consultancy and advertising or communication. [46631/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Over the past nine years, the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign has raised awareness about the particular challenges that winter can present. This is now an established and important annual event impacting across the whole public service.

The campaign highlights the ‘Whole of Government’ approach being taken to winter preparations. This sort of approach was seen during recent storms which posed challenges for communities, businesses, Government Departments and Agencies. Importantly, the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign informs the public of what is being done in relation to winter preparations and where they can source valuable information that can assist them through a difficult period. This year's campaign highlights the Met Eireann colour coded weather warning system.

In 2017, the focus of the campaign was upon the provision of advice to older people during the winter period (a collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE and the OEP) - particularly with regard to flu vaccination - the leaflet for which remains available on the www.winterready.ie website.

No costs have been incurred by the Department in relation to this year's campaign.