PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, 8 April 2021

FIRST HEALTHY KERRY FRAMEWORK LAUNCHED ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

The Healthy Kerry Framework (2021-2027) was launched online on Wednesday, 7 April by the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan TD. Published to coincide with World Health Day, the Framework was developed to support the implementation of the national Healthy Ireland Framework and campaigns in response to the needs of the local community over the next six years. Echoing the national Framework, the vision of the Healthy Kerry Framework is that everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential in a county where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.

A working group of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), called the Healthy Kerry committee, prepared this inaugural framework to guide the delivery of health and wellbeing projects and actions over the next six years. Following consultation with key agencies and organisations in Kerry, three aspects were agreed to be prioritised for a Healthy Kerry.  These include building healthy communities, promoting wellbeing in the workplace and supporting the implementation of national and local policies and plans in Kerry.

Welcoming the new plan, Minister Feighan said he was delighted to include Kerry in the National Healthy Cities and Counties Network, which is a structure that supports local Authorities to implement the Healthy Ireland Framework.

‘Kerry has a strong interagency, voluntary and community network that plays a key role in supporting community health and wellbeing and addressing health inequalities.  I am pleased to announce today that Kerry is an official member of the National Healthy Cities and Counties Network. I look forward to working with everyone in Kerry who will be working to roll out this plan over the coming years,’ he said.

Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen expressed his delight in supporting the Healthy Kerry Framework and announcing the groups selected to pilot the Healthy Kerry Community Wellbeing Initiative.

‘The Healthy Kerry Framework is the first of its kind in Kerry and gives a focus for health and wellbeing pursuits in the county over the next six years.  In addition to launching this Framework, I am delighted to announce the groups that have been awarded the Community Mental Health Small Grants Scheme.  Over the past year, the volunteer effort in supporting community health and wellbeing in Kerry has been extraordinary and it is timely that this scheme is made available to highlight this great work and provide further support to trial this new community wellbeing initiative’.

Cllr Norma Moriarty, chairperson of the Kerry Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) congratulated all involved in the development of the Framework, in particular the Healthy Kerry committee, coordinator, the partners and agencies involved and confirmed that: ‘Kerry LCDC are committed to working with all of the key stakeholders to coordinate the delivery of future effective initiatives and programmes according to the strategy pillars of this Healthy Kerry Framework.’

The Healthy Kerry Framework (2021-2027) and full details of Community Mental Health Small Grants Scheme are now available on the Healthy Kerry and Kerry County Council websites. 

Download here: https://www.healthykerry.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Healthy-Kerry-Framework-FINAL.pdf

View the launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHCTyiEeqZI