Health Education Bureau campaigns
Cosgrave asked about the Bureau’s campaigns, their evaluation and funding. Haughey listed campaigns since April 1977 and said evaluations were undertaken where possible, including an assessment of the polio vaccination campaign.
asked the Minister for Health the principal campaigns undertaken by the Health Education Bureau during the past year; if any assessment of the effectiveness of these campaigns has been undertaken; and if he is satisfied that the bureau have sufficient funds at their disposal to effectively carry out their duties.
Comment on this
: The principal campaigns undertaken by the Health Education Bureau since April, 1977 are as follows: Polio Vaccination; Be Active, Be Alive; Hygiene; Disposal of Old Medicines; and Monitoring and Control of Blood Pressure. In addition, the bureau have supported Dental Health and Mental Health weeks.
It is the policy of the bureau to evaluate the effectiveness of their campaigns, wherever possible. In the case of the campaigns which I have mentioned, it was possible to carry out an assessment of the "Polio Vaccination" campaign. Arrangements have also been made to assess the results of the "Disposal of Old Medicines" campaign and these are now being analysed. The bureau are satisfied that they will be able satisfactorily to assess most of their future campaigns, as they have now recruited the necessary specialist staff and developed suitable procedures. I am satisfied that the bureau's budget for the current year will enable them effectively to carry out their functions.