Healthy Communities is a new cross-government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. The programme will be delivered in partnership with the HSE, local authorities, local communities, statutory, voluntary and community groups. Clonmel has been identified as one of the 19 communities across the country and is one of 3 communities across the South East Community Health Network (CHO5). It will focus on the ED’s of Clonmel West Urban, Clonmel East Urban, Clonmel Rural and Inishlounaght.

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The Healthy Communities in Clonmel will be a partnership to coordinate interventions that address the social determinants of health at a local level with community engagement

Tipperary County Council has been tasked at a local level with elements of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme. Tipperary County Council, under the oversight of Tipperary Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), will establish a Local Implementation Team. This will be supported by a Local Development Officer employed by Tipperary County Council.

Pat Slattery, Director of Services Community & Economic and Chief Officer Tipperary LCDC “Tipperary county Council are very happy to partner in the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme to ensure the health and wellbeing needs of our communities are supported and that the Council can play a crucial role given our close connections to our communities and our important role in community development, housing, social supports, public space and the built environment."

Derval Howley Head of Service, Health and Wellbeing, South East Community Healthcare stated “the aim of the Healthy Communities Programme is to identify specific areas in which high risk factors to the health and wellbeing of the population are particularly prevalent, with a view to implementing targeted initiatives to tackle these challenges from within these communities. We are really pleased to see our partnership working and health and wellbeing programmes reach into the communities where they are most needed. The Healthy Communities Programme in Clonmel will be supported by areas-based teams and we are delighted to partner with Barnardos for Parenting Programmes and Clonmel Community Resource Centre for Social Prescribing Service”

Naomi Burke, Manager Clonmel Community Resource Centre, are delighted to host the new social prescribing service for Clonmel within the Healthy Communities Programme

Anna Henebry, Barnardos will partner with the HSE to deliver parenting programmes and noted that “this will provide families of greater need to access evidence-based parenting programmes in the Clonmel Catchment”

Clonmel was identified as one of the chosen 19 national communities. As part of the Department of Health’s investment in the 19 communities, a total fund of €4.75m has been made available, which equates to up to €250,000 per community. The focus of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Community Enhancement Scheme is to support projects that will positively impact on the health and wellbeing of those who live within the 19 communities.

The Enhancement Scheme will support the development of Suir Island recreational gardens in Clonmel. Cllr Michael Murphy, Cathaoirleach Clonmel Borough District, “welcomes the investment for Green Heart of Clonmel. The development of the Suir Island Gardens will provide an amazing resource in the heart of our town of benefit to the citizens of Clonmel and its environs”

Sinead Carr, Director of Services and Manager Clonmel Borough District noted that “the opportunity to develop Suir Island lands will contribute to the realisation of the Master Plan as a key community and amenity resource in Clonmel. Tipperary County Council will provide match funding of €250,000 to deliver the recreational gardens and this is a significant investment in Clonmel, in addition to and complimenting, other capital projects in the town”