Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1809. To ask the Minister for Health if she will adopt an outreach-based approach to engage men, boys and carers in adopting healthy lifestyles, self-management and timely access to healthcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58661/25]

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.

The National Manager for Men's Health in the HSE will drive implementation of the Men's Health Action Plan and the priorities will be agreed with the Implementation Group.

One of the principles of the Action Plan is to empower men to take ownership of their own health which involves engaging men as active participants in their own health as well as offering them evidence based health and wellbeing programmes. There is also a commitment in the Plan to expand the ENGAGE training programme to build capacity among service providers to adopt a gender specific approach to engaging men and boys at both individual and organisational level.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1810. To ask the Minister for Health if she will consider developing tailored supports and resources for fathers, including those who are parenting alone or co-parenting, to promote positive health, communication, and wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58662/25]

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 means of engaging them in initiatives that seek to address individual lifestyle and health behaviour change. The plan acknowledges the important role that systemic and structural factors play in shaping men’s health outcomes. In addition, the plan acknowledges the crucial role that fathers play in health outcomes, including maternal and child health and how promoting men’s health and positive masculinities can have positive ripple effects on the health of partners, children, and wider communities.

One of the actions in the Plan is to 'Develop tailored resources for fathers to support positive communication with their children on areas of health and wellbeing and parenting (including parenting alone/co-parenting fathers)' which will be considered as part of the overall implementation process.

A range of resources providing support to fathers and new parents, including advice on parenting, mental health, and family wellbeing are available on the HSE website. Links to some of these resources are available below:

www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/supports-for-carers-family-and-friends/

www2.hse.ie/babies-children/parenting-advice/services-supports/extra-support/

www2.hse.ie/babies-children/parenting-advice/health-mental-wellbeing/

Evidence-based programmes that support the mental health of parents and help parents support their children’s wellbeing and development are provided through the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme. The Triple P or the Parents Plus parenting programmes are being delivered in all the Healthy Community areas with some areas offering parenting courses depending on demand.