Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1806. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the implementation of the National Men’s Health Action Plan 2024–2028; if she will consider allocating an initial €10 million to support its delivery in line with recommendations from a foundation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58658/25]

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.

Funding is provided by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development to support Men's Sheds. The Department of Agriculture Food and Marine also allocate a significant budget to promote farmer health and well-being.

One of the priorities for 2026 is to map out the current levels of activity across other government departments and the HSE in relation to Men's Health and any additional funding required will be considered in the estimates process for 2026.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1807. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider commissioning a full cost analysis of the National Men’s Health Action Plan 2024–2028 to ensure that the plan is adequately resourced and implemented across all relevant sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58659/25]

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.

Following the appointment of the National Manager for Men's Health in the HSE the implementation of the Action Plan is now underway which will include identifying funding requirements for full implementation over the next four years. One of the priorities for 2026 is to map out the current levels of activity across other government departments and the HSE in relation to Men's Health and any additional funding required will be considered in the estimates process in 2026.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1808. To ask the Minister for Health if she will work with colleagues across Government to develop a cross-Government Policy Statement on Men’s Health, in order to co-ordinate action and ensure a whole-of-Government approach to improving men’s well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58660/25]

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 across Government. 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.

The HSE will drive implementation of the Men's Health Action Plan and my Department is committed to develop a Cross Government Policy Statement on Men's Health in 2026 building on the partnership work underway with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Rural and Community Development.