asked the Minister for Health the present position on health education and hygiene for young people; and if all the health boards are participating in this type of scheme.

Young people are the principal target group of the Health Education Bureau's campaigns to discourage smoking and excessive drinking and to promote general fitness and health.

In July 1984 health boards were asked by the Department of Health to organise regular talks on hygiene in schools, particularly concerning food, as part of educational measures to improve the standard and awareness of hygiene throughout the country. Health boards are in touch with my Department on this matter and other measures to promote food hygiene. Some health boards organise special school projects which include an element specifically devoted to hygiene.

All health boards support health education programmes which aim to promote a healthy lifestyle among young people.

Are all the health boards participating in the health education programme? Have they information available to send to schools, including notes for teachers on health, hygiene and diet? What amount of money is being provided this year for the health education programme for young people?

I would make the point that three health boards, the North Western, Southern and Mid Western, organise health education programmes in schools, which include information on the importance of hygiene. I refer the Deputy in particular to the North Western Health Board and the Lifestyle programmes which are organised by them in conjunction with the HEB and the videos, a substantial number of which are available in the area. Other health boards could usefully emulate that outstanding example.

Do all health boards produce a community newsletter, as I know the Western Health Board do for schools?

I am aware that the Western Health Board issue a community newsletter. The information is similar in other health board areas and indeed quite elaborate in them. A great deal of information is issued for the school system.

What level of co-operation is there between the Health Education Bureau and school authorities? Is the Minister satisfied with the present level of co-operation?

The HEB are extremely anxious to co-operate at all levels. On one recent development on the question of sex education relative to the Health Education Bureau's work, the chairman is a second level teacher, a member of the HEB. They are very anxious to keep in direct touch and to provide a range of services. This year they have a very substantial budget of £1.75 million, which is an increase of £½ million over what they had last year. The HEB have sufficient resources and a 40 per cent increase in their budget this year to go in and do this work.

Will there be priority given to this work out of that budget?

Yes. The Government would like to see pressure brought by Deputies and teachers on the HEB to avail of the resources which exist there in relation to health education generally.

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