Press release
Minister Burke accepts nomination as National Political Representative to National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Colm Burke has accepted a nomination as National Political Representative to the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network.
The Minister will represent Ireland at the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Healthy Cities Network. This is a key mechanism in the global WHO Healthy Cities programme which has been operating since 1987, with the aim of supporting local action to prioritise public health.
Accepting the appointment, Minister Burke said:
“I’m honoured to take up this role and I look forward to working to further embed the Healthy Ireland principles within local government programmes.
“We know that our overall health and wellbeing is heavily influenced by our surroundings, so we cannot underestimate the pivotal role of local government in creating supportive environments that help communities to thrive.
“Irish towns and cities have a strong record of engagement with the WHO Healthy Cities programme, with my own city of Cork designated a flagship Healthy City.
“Working with our European and global partners provides us with an excellent opportunity for collaboration, information sharing and learning, helping us to support local government to create and deliver the most effective initiatives that will enhance public health and wellbeing.”
The National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network agreed a 3 year work programme in 2023 focused on creating healthier environments, reducing health inequities, and enhancing the quality of life for all people through various innovative initiatives and partnerships.
The aim of the Network is to develop the structures necessary to support the Healthy Cities and Counties Programme across the 31 Local Authorities, integrating wellbeing into core activity through fostering partnerships that support the WHO’s Phase VII goals (2019-2024). Much of this is achieved through political leadership and facilitating place-based approaches and includes work in areas such as early intervention, preventative approaches, creating and shaping wellbeing environments and facilitating health literacy approaches within communities.
The National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network is an accredited WHO National Network and provides a voice for Ireland in the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. The Irish Network currently has 31 members (local authorities) and is overseen by a National Coordinator, employed by Waterford County Council.
The Healthy Cities programme is a global World Health Organization (WHO) movement. The concept is based on the importance of local action and the key role of local governments in health and sustainable development. The approach seeks to put health high on the political and social agenda of cities/ local governments and to build a strong movement for public health at the local level.
The WHO Healthy Cities programme was set up initially in 1987 with 11 individual cities, and now includes over 100 flagship cities (including Cork City) covering approximately 1,400 municipalities.
The WHO European Healthy Cities Network provides political, strategic and technical support as well as capacity-building. The Network’s activities have been organized into phases of roughly 5 years, with differing priorities.
The Irish National Network Committee represents and communicates on behalf of all members regarding the business of the network.
Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Fund for 2022-2025 is currently underway. A Healthy City and County coordinator has been recruited in each Local Authority and funding of €75,000 has been allocated to each coordinator and their respective local authorities. This fund is monitored through Pobal.