Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
401. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost placed on the cost of obesity in Ireland annually; the way in which it is measured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53944/26]
View answerThe current Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025).
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and the overall aim is to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the impact of overweight and obesity on health outcomes for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address obesity.
Under OPAP, Ireland put in place a comprehensive, cross-Government strategy to address obesity and overweight. Since 2016 significant progress has been made in delivering on the Ten Step Programme of OPAP and to drive policy initiatives and actions, ranging from health promotion and education initiatives and obesity prevention measures through to establishing services to treat and manage obesity within the health care system.
Neither the Department of Health nor the Obesity National Clinical Programme (NCP) in the HSE centrally collate an estimated annual cost of treating obesity and obesity-related conditions across the health service. Data on healthcare expenditure is held across a number of distinct systems and organisations. Costing and activity data for hospital care is compiled by the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO), who may be in a position to advise on hospital activity associated with obesity-related conditions. Information relating to the cost of reimbursable medicines used in the management of obesity, falls under the remit of the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP).
