Policy submissions

Institute of Public Health

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) seeks to influence public policy to improve health and to reduce inequalities in health.

The Institute has responded to a number of consultations on public policy and has produced submissions on policy/strategy ,on action plans and on government inquiries. Detail on policy submissions can be sourced here.

Most recently, the Institute completed submissions in respect of:

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government guidelines for Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas. IPH welcomes the revised draft guidelines for planning authorities and particularly welcomes the many references to the potential health impacts of residential development, including:
- Residential streets which prioritise and support walking and cycling
- Qualitative and quantitative standards for public open space which encourage physical activity and social connectivity
- Extension of these guidelines to smaller towns and villages

A full copy of the submission can be sourced here.

Policy Planning Statement Renewable Energy (PPS18) sets out the Department of the Environment policy for development that generates energy from renewable energies. IPH welcome the policy in an effort to address climate change which has been identified as one of the most important public health challenges of the 21^st Century. IPH identify the inequities which exist amongst low income householders and their energy sources and call for HIA to be routinely adopted for all new renewable energy developments.
The Irish government’s advisory group established by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to examine aspects of the law governing the sale and consumption of alcohol. In its submission, the Institute highlighted the seriousness of socio-economic inequalities in alcohol-related deaths and the need to improve methods to limit underage drinking. A full copy of the submission can be sourced here.