About Healthy Ireland
Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative that seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland.It aims to create an Irish society where everyone can enjoy good physical and mental health, and where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.
With a growing focus and responsibility being given to Local Authorities for community well-being, Healthy Ireland Local Government plays an important role in encouraging local government to join-up its effort at the local level leading to improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
Healthy Ireland Programmes within Local Government are funded by the Department of Health with 2 main initiatives: the Healthy Ireland Cities and Counties Programme and the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme.
Healthy Ireland Fund
The Healthy Ireland Fund (HIF) was launched in 2017 as an implementation initiative of Healthy Ireland Framework 2013-2025 which is the Government’s national plan to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland.
Current Round 4
HIF is currently in its fourth round of funding which commenced in 2023, running until December 2027. There has been three previous Rounds of HIF funding from 2017 to 2022.
Under HIF Round 4, each Local Authority is contributing to selected outcomes from the Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework Indicator Set that are appropriate to identified priority areas for their region. A Healthy City and County Coordinator role has been established in each Local Authority with responsibility for driving the local health and wellbeing agenda.
DLR LCDC IMPACT REPORT
The Making Connections Social Walking Programme progressed well in 2025, with three key achievements demonstrating strong impact on older adults’ physical activity, social engagement, and access to community supports. Participants significantly increased their physical activity levels, with several individuals overcoming longstanding mobility challenges, building confidence, and incorporating walking into their daily routines through the programme’s supportive structure. Social engagement also improved markedly, as participants formed meaningful friendships, reduced feelings of loneliness, and integrated more comfortably into group activities, supported by a welcoming volunteer presence that fostered connection and sustained involvement. A major milestone was the expansion of the programme to a second location in Leopardstown, funded by Dlr Healthy Ireland, which enabled older people previously on a waiting list to join immediately and broadened the programme’s reach, ensuring continuity for existing participants while providing new opportunities for engagement within the wider community.
The Healthy Ireland Sports Partnership–coordinated Afternoon Tea Dances achieved strong impact during the reporting period by providing older adults with an accessible, enjoyable, and socially enriching opportunity to engage in weekly leisure activity that supports both physical movement and social connection. The dances contributed significantly to increasing participation in social activities among people aged 65+, offering a welcoming and inclusive environment where attendees could meet others, reduce isolation, and enjoy music, dancing, and conversation in a relaxed setting. The events played an important role in supporting programme goals by encouraging regular engagement in community‑based activity, strengthening wellbeing through gentle physical movement, and fostering meaningful social interactions that participants valued highly. Through the combination of coordinated organisation, a supportive atmosphere, and the appeal of music‑based social gatherings, the Afternoon Tea Dances successfully enhanced community participation and contributed to improved health and wellbeing outcomes for older adults.
In 2025, Southside Partnership DLR delivered strong, measurable progress across both the SWAP Programme and the Mindful Gardening initiative, achieving all major outcome targets and exceeding participation goals. Together, these programmes strengthened social connection, supported older adults and people with disabilities, and enhanced wellbeing across Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. Two 8‑week social therapeutic gardening courses were delivered as planned, engaging 28 participants aged 65+, surpassing the target of 24 (117% achievement). Participants developed skills in gardening and mindfulness, built social connections, and benefited from dedicated weekly support by the Health & Wellbeing Team. Wellbeing improvements were significant. Using the Energy & Vitality Index (EVI), both courses recorded strong positive change:
Course 1: EVI improved from 207 to 290.
Course 2: EVI improved from 195 to 245.
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