David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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378. To ask the Minister for Health the level of funding provided to and through Healthy Ireland in each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form. [30388/24]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Health and Wellbeing Programme in my Department is responsible for coordinating the implementation of Healthy Ireland which is the National Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025.

Healthy Ireland is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and wellbeing takes the involvement of the whole of Government and all of society working together. Given the wider “health in all policies” approach of Healthy Ireland, investment across multiple sectors, through Government Departments and their agencies and in wider society, all contributes to broad health and wellbeing in line with the Healthy Ireland Framework.

The funding for Health and Wellbeing in my Department currently and over the last five years, is as follows:

The €16.84 million budget for 2024 covers actions that support local communities, including the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme. Funding is allocated for National programmes including Age Friendly Ireland, Sport Ireland, the Healthy Ireland at Your Library programme and Children's and Young People’s Service Committees (CYPSC). The allocation will also be used to promote citizen engagement in the Healthy Ireland framework. The Healthy Ireland Survey and a contribution toward the Health Behaviour in School Aged Children is also funded from this budget. Several settings-based initiatives are funded, including Healthy Campuses, Workplaces , Clubs and Prisons. Finally, the allocation will be utilised to develop various guidelines and policies, including Mental Health Promotion.

There is overwhelming evidence that investment in prevention is cost-effective in both the short and longer term. In addition, investing in public health generates cost-effective health outcomes and can contribute to wider sustainability, with economic, social and environmental benefits. Healthy Ireland is a core framework for the implementation of Sláintecare and provides the central platform to address the social determinants of health that impact how well people live their lives.