184. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health her response to the results of the 2025 Healthy Ireland survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63970/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: Supported by the Department of Health, the annual survey by Ipsos B&A gives an up-to-date picture of the health of the nation, reporting on many health-related lifestyle behaviours. The 2025 report includes General Health, Smoking, E-cigarette and Nicotine Pouches, Alcohol & Non-Alcoholic beer, wine and spirits, Harms of Alcohol, Menopause, Contraception, Sleep, Caring Responsibilities and Healthcare Utilisation.

The Survey is a vital part of the information we collect on how people across Ireland are doing in terms of their health and wellbeing. These data show us where policies and initiatives are working well, but also highlight where additional initiatives may be needed.

This year’s Survey marks 10 years since the first Healthy Ireland Survey was published in 2015, and many of the 10-year trends are very positive; many key indicators are improving. However, the figures reaffirm the need for robust legislation to support health and wellbeing, such as the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018 and The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2024, which act to reduce alcohol and nicotine related harm respectively.

In 2025, 82% of us report being in good or very good health, showing a slight increase over the past two years. It’s also worth noting that our life-expectancy, at 82.9 years (84.6 for women and 81.1 for men), is the seventh highest in Europe. Fewer older adults in Ireland report being in bad or very bad health, and fewer have chronic diseases compared to the EU average. Self-perceived health in those aged 75 and over has improved by 9 points since 2015.

It is concerning that e-cigarette use is still at 8%; vaping remains very popular among young people in particular. We continue to put a range of legislation and health promotion initiatives in place, to further reduce the prevalence of smoking and nicotine use. The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2024 will raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21 years, from February 2028. Enactment makes Ireland the first EU Member State to raise the legal age for tobacco purchase to 21 years. Ireland has long been a world leader in tackling the use of tobacco products and we have taken significant strides in recent years.

This year’s Survey reports that one in five people are at risk of hazardous drinking, with two percent of those at higher risk or possibly alcohol dependent. We have made good progress in implementing the provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. To date, 28 of its 31 provisions have been commenced. The Act’s objectives are to reduce alcohol consumption, to delay the age at which young people begin to drink and to regulate the sale and supply of alcohol.

For the first time, the Survey examined access to contraception and women's experiences of peri-menopause and menopause, supporting the evidence base underpinning the Women's Health Action Plans. Of women accessing HRT, 93% found it either very or somewhat effective. 86% of women aged 17-25, and 74% of those aged 26-35, were aware of the Free Contraception Scheme.

The proportion of people that have visited a GP has increased each year since 2021 and are significantly higher than when first reported in 2015 (71%). 80% of people report having visited a GP in the previous 12 months, with an average of 4.1 visits per person among everyone aged 15 and older.

It should be noted that the Healthy Ireland Survey is a representative study - significant increases in both overall population numbers and in the numbers of older age cohorts means that the total number of appointments, attendances and admissions have also increased, in addition to the number of attendances per person. Our health service is therefore working harder than ever to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population and to improve access to healthcare, in line with the vision of Sláintecare.