Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland. Healthy Ireland takes a ‘whole of government’ and a ‘whole of society’ approach. The Healthy Ireland Strategic Action Plan 2021-2025 provides a roadmap towards good health, access to services, healthy environments and the promotion of resilience in a manner that leaves no one behind.

In 2016, it was approved by the Government of the creation of a Healthy Ireland Fund (HIF) to support the implementation of health and wellbeing initiatives in a variety of settings. Previously Pobal have administered 3 rounds of the Healthy Ireland Fund on behalf of the Departments of Health between 2017-2022.

HIF Round 4 2023 - 2026 is currently being rolled out locally across 31 Local Authorities. Based on the learnings from previous rounds, Round 4 represents a more evidenced-based outcomes led approach, with a 3 year frame as opposed to previous rounds which were on an annual basis.

For more on the Healthy Ireland Fund click here: Healthy Ireland Framework | Healthy Ireland | Pobal Programmes | Ireland

Under Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland programme, Healthy Westmeath are focusing on 2 main outcomes for 2023 – 2026:

1. Increase in the percentage of adults and children meeting physical activity guidelines

2. Mental Health