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Minister for Health, Simon Harris and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Catherine Byrne, today (Thursday) announced a strengthening of the Healthy Ireland programme.

The Government has approved the publication of an Outcomes Framework for Healthy Ireland and the establishment of an enhanced Healthy Ireland Office in the Department of Health.

Minister Harris said

We are at an important stage in the implementation of Healthy Ireland. Significant progress has been made in the last few years and there is good collaboration across Government. Now is the time to build on that success, and re-energise our efforts to put wellbeing at the core of all public policy and increase Healthy Ireland activities across all strands of the work from Government to local level.

The new Outcomes Framework for Healthy Ireland has been developed to help assess and report on progress in the implementation of this key cross-government initiative, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland. The publication of an Outcomes Framework was also a recommendation of the Sláintecare report. The Outcomes Framework will be published in early autumn.

I’m pleased that the Government has also approved the establishment of a new Healthy Ireland Office within my Department, to strengthen cross-government collaboration and build on the progress to date. The new Office will develop and deliver an action plan for the next phase of implementation of Healthy Ireland, and will be responsible for the delivery of an enhanced programme of communications and citizen engagement.

Minister Byrne said:

Healthy Ireland has a vision of people living longer, healthier lives, in safe, healthy environments. We want all our citizens, young and old, to feel supported in their communities in taking that first step towards a healthier lifestyle. That is why it is so important to further develop Healthy Ireland. Working with our partners, we aim to involve more organisations in helping to build and sustain a national movement for health and wellbeing, and generate a real enthusiasm for Healthy Ireland across every community.