Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Health if she will review the enforcement of legislation prohibiting the use of sunbeds by persons under the age of 18, in light of reports that sunbed operators are accepting false identification or failing to request any proof of age; if his Department will undertake inspections or awareness campaigns to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24157/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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A key policy objective of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 (Number 12 of 2014) is to protect children and those under 18 years of age from the risk of skin damage, in view of their increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Section 4 of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 provides for a prohibition on permitting the use of a sunbed by a person under 18 years of age on a sunbed premises; selling the use of a sunbed to such a person or on permitting such person in a restricted area (except in the course of employment in the business or the provision of services to the business). Acceptable forms of proof of age are: age card, passport or driving license, relating to the individual.

The HSE National Environmental Health Service (HSE/NEHS) enforces the Public Health (Sunbeds) legislation. To verify compliance, NEHS conducts an annual sunbed inspection programme, including inspections of establishments, mystery shopping, and test purchases.

The HSE/NEHS takes action, as appropriate, when non-compliances of the legislation are identified. The primary focus is to address non-compliances through engagement with the sunbed business. Fixed Payment Notices may be served or legal proceedings instigated, as appropriate.

Officials in my Department are currently examining the commitment in the Programme for Government to ‘Explore ways to ban commercial sunbed use’ . As part of this process targeted campaigns are being considered.