Funding of €300,000 is being made available to local authorities for strategic initiatives aimed at supporting and maintaining the wellbeing of council staff under a new workplace programme co-ordinated by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).
The funding programme will help local authorities to promote and protect psychological and physical health in the workplace, and to empower employees to make informed choices about their own wellbeing.
Pictured at the announcement of the new funding programme were (l-r): Tom James, Head of Healthy Ireland; Hildegard Naughten, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health; Paul Dunne, LGMA Chief Executive; and Amanda Kane, LGMA.
The programme was recently announced by Hildegarde Naughton, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy at an event held by the LGMA. It was attended by local authority representatives who discussed the importance of supporting workplace wellness and employee wellbeing.
Announcing the €300,000 funding, Minister Naughton noted the LGMA’s “proactive approach” to helping local authorities to implement effective strategies to benefit their staff.
“We all deserve supportive working environments that promote physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing. This funding from Healthy Ireland, aligned with the Government’s National Framework for Healthy Workplaces, will also help employees to make informed choices that improves their own wellbeing,” the Minister added.
Local authorities can apply for funding for specific programmes and initiatives that form part of their wellbeing strategy or support strategic aims to:
- Create safe and healthy work environments that foster a culture of positive wellbeing.
- Improve the general wellbeing of local authorities’ diverse workforce and ensure that wellbeing is seen as everyone’s responsibility.
- Embed wellbeing as a central part of strategic priorities for management across all local authority functions.
Paul Dunne, LGMA Chief Executive, said: “Embedding a positive health and wellbeing culture in a local authority has benefits not only for employees but also for the vital public services local authorities provide as workplace wellbeing can help to engage, motivate and retain employees and improve performance and productivity.”