COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 08, 2015

QUESTION NO.22

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive if he is taking any action to ensure that Health Policy as a part of Social Policy becomes part of our development plans and if he will confirm contacts he has had in the matter.

REPLY:

The Council has particpated in the HANA project in Tallaght which was undertaken by Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences. The HANA project is a study of health needs in the Tallaght area and followed the same methodology that was used in the 2001 Health Needs Assessment. With this in mind, the project randomly selected 420 houses within 13 Electoral Divisions in Tallaght, in clusters, stratified by deprivation level. From these 420 houses, a total of 341 houses have been completed. This represents an excellant response rate of 81%.The results of the HANA (Health Assets Needs Assessment) Report is due to be announced on 14th September 2015 the launch date of the Councils Health and Wellbeing week 2015. There is a lot of learning to be gained form the project which will assist the Council in future projects.

Also South Dublin County Council supported by the HSE Health and in partnership with key agencies in the area is working towards being accredited to the WHO Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network. The process involved in this work will bring a range of agencies together to agree a mechanism for incorporating a Health & Wellbeing agenda into the planning and delivery of services and work in the county. Working to reduce health inequalities will be a priority underpinning this work. This is a key goal in Theme 2 of Healthy Ireland, Partnership and Cross-Sectoral Work.

The Healthy Ireland National Physical Activity Plan is expected to be launched this year and will inform the Council as to its role in implementation of its key elements.

In addition Chapter 3 of the draft County Development Plan also contains policies in relation to Coummunity, Healthcare and Educational facilities in the County.  The HSE and Department of Education are Statutory Consultees for the Development Plan Process and their submissions will be brought before the Members as part of the Development Plan adoption process.