Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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791. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the scoping work that was underway with the Institute of Public Health and the WHO to develop and implement a nutrition policy and action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8396/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Department has been working with the Institute of Public Health and the World Health Organisation on scoping out nutrition policy actions that would provide better nutrition for Ireland. A number of nutrition policy actions are included in the Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 and many of these are based on the WHO European Food and Nutrition Plan 2013-2020. The Obesity Policy and Action Plan progress report published last week () provides details of nutrition policy actions already undertaken, for example the Healthy Food for Life resources and the Nutrition Standards for School Meals.

In order to identify gaps where further nutrition actions are needed, my Department has been having discussions with the Institute of Public Health and the WHO. The WHO have compiled a list of policy options for better nutrition in Ireland under a number of thematic areas, such as healthy food and drink environments, healthy diet throughout the life-course and health systems for the promotion of healthy diets.

These policy options will be discussed at the next Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) meeting and priorities agreed and these will be taken forward by the OPIOG’s Healthy Eating Sub Group in association with key partners.