Written answers

Thursday, 10 December 2020

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the women’s health taskforce which is aiming to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare in terms of health promotion and public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to highlight that progressing women’s health continues to be a priority for the Department of Health and for this government. A strong commitment was made to promote Women’s Health in the Programme for Government and the Budget 2021 delivered on this commitment by providing significant investment across women’s health. This includes

- funding of €12m to ensure a renewed impetus to the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy and the new model of maternity care, and to improve gynaecology services.

- funding of €10m to strengthen screening services including Breast Check and Cervical Check,

- and building on the work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, a €5m Women’s Health Fund to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare.

The Women’s Health Taskforce was established in September 2019 to improve both health outcomes and experiences of healthcare for women and girls. In its first year, the Taskforce has listened to, engaged with and worked with more than 1,000 individuals, and organisations representing women and girls across the country. Based on this consultation, and review of the evidence, the Taskforce has developed proposals to improve supports for gynaecological health, engagement with physical activity and supports for menopause which were chosen as initial priority areas.  

In 2021, the €5m Women’s Health Fund will deliver a programme of actions arising from this work, along with additional priority areas, including improving mental health supports for women and girls. A national awareness and education campaign will also be delivered to provide a trusted source of information and help normalise discussions about women’s health.

 The members of the Taskforce meet regularly, with its eighth meeting held in December and with regular updates provided through a dedicated webpage on the Department of Health’s website at gov.ie/en/campaigns/-Womens-Health/

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