Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to implement the Men’s Health Action Plan 2024 to 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52432/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Men’s Health Action Plan was launched on November 18th, 2024. The plan aligns with Sláintecare and the Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan and is supported by a range of HSE functions and partner agencies. The plan contains a number of actions which are targeted at specific population groups of men as a means of engaging them in initiatives that seek to address individual lifestyle and health behaviour change. In addition, the plan acknowledges the important role that systemic and structural factors play in shaping men’s health outcomes.

To support the implementation of the actions contained within, the HSE received approx. €200,000 in Budget 2025 to recruit a National Lead for Men’s Health and a further €100,000 to support programme development. The recruitment process was completed in July by the HSE and the National Lead was appointed in late September. Further, the HSE have an additional €400k in base funding that is utilised to support the ongoing work in relation to Men’s Health and drive the implementation of the Men’s Health Action plan.

In addition, my department provides funding of 400k to the Irish Men's Sheds Association to support the national office and deliver the Sheds for life programme for members of the local Sheds.