Ireland’s National Physical Activity Framework 2024–2040 was launched recently and sets out a clear ambition: to make regular movement a normal part of daily life and position Ireland as Europe’s most physically active nation by 2040.
Built on the progress of the 2016 plan, the new Framework strengthens cross‑sector collaboration and focuses on practical, measurable action. The first of three action plans is published, providing a structured pathway to deliver change across communities, workplaces, and services.
The Framework concentrates improvement across eight priority areas:
- Active Travel
- Active Urban Design
- Healthcare
- Public Education, including mass media
- Sport and Recreation for All
- Workplaces
- Community‑wide programmes
Healthy Ireland recognises physical activity as a cornerstone of population health. This approach supports people to be active in ways that fit their needs, circumstances, and interests, with a focus on equity and access.
Delivery will centre on:
- Removing barriers to participation and helping people identify solutions
- Enhancing cooperation at national, local, and community level
- Creating supportive environments where activity is the norm
- Promoting good practice and new participation models to reach more people
The Framework was launched by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, and Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue.
Minister Carroll MacNeill highlighted Ireland’s progress since 2016 and called for renewed ambition, noting the shared responsibility across sectors to create active communities and sustain momentum under Healthy Ireland.
By aligning policy, design, and programmes, the National Physical Activity Framework provides a unified, long‑term pathway to elevate participation, improve wellbeing, and embed movement into everyday Irish life.
HSE Health and Wellbeing are working with the Regions and external partners on several strands of this work to support the integration of physical activity into the healthcare system. Examples include implementing the Making Every Contact Count Programme, promoting physical activity as a core part of care for people living with chronic conditions and highlighting the National Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the general population.