"An average child born into the community will average a shorter life" - Minister Feighan

The Minister for Public Health, Frank Feighan, told those gathered at the launch of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Initiative in Gaoth Dobhair this afternoon that an average child born into the community will average a shorter life and is also at higher risk of heart and lung disease. 

A large crowd gathered to attend the launch in Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dobhair. 

Introduced nationally in 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to nineteen community areas across Ireland. The minister said that Donegal is the only county to house two such communities.   

Minister Feighan was welcomed to the events by the Cathaoirleach of Glenties Municipal District Councillor, Anthony Molloy. 

Gallery: Deele College host successful careers fair in Raphoe

The event, organised by the Deele College Guidance Department, gave students an insight into various careers, such as; air traffic control, engineering, nursing/medicine, childcare, computing, hospitality, accountancy, journalism and science

At the launch Minister Feighan said: “Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a collective programme where we all work together to ensure that our communities in greatest need are supported to live longer, healthier lives. 

“The health services cannot make these changes happen alone. To make real and lasting change we need to work together to create communities where people can thrive.  

“Our local community partners know better than anyone else what challenges this community faces and the strengths with it.  They have the relationships and trust of the community and will be a key to the success of this programme as they are already embedded into your community.”

The HSE Chief Officer, Dermot Monaghan, described how the HSE long–term investment of €520,000 annually will provide for the establishment and delivery of a variety of different programmes in the area as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme. These will include; a Free one to one Stop Smoking Service, We Can Quit Community based smoking cessation programmes, Parenting Support Programmes, Healthy Food Made Easy cookery courses and Social Prescribing programmes to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Service for Community and Planning with Donegal County Council, Liam Ward, confirmed that the local authority is undertaking 6 capital projects with funding received from the Department of Health under the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Works Programme with a total value of €498,814.00  

The projects which were agreed by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) are divided between the two Sláintecare sites – Gaeltacht and Inishowen. The enhancement funding in the Gaeltacht area, is currently being used to redevelop a playground facility in Dungloe, to enhance the Muckish Greenway project, and to help deliver Scioból na bhfear, Men’s Shed on Tory Island.

The launch of the Donegal Sláintecare Healthy Communities is the successful culmination of close collaboration between the Department of Health, Donegal County Council, HSE CH CDLMS and local partners Inishowen Development Company, (IDP), Ionad Naomh Padraig Family Resource Centre, Finn Valley Family Resource Centre and Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC).

Together they are delivering evidence-based programmes and community initiatives across Donegal to support people’s wellbeing within the community and provide better access to a range of services needed to promote healthier lifestyle behaviours.

 More to follow…