HSE pilot programme to offer free sunscreen for Tipperary sunbathers

Tipperary County Council has announced that they will be participating in the HSE’s SunSmart Sunscreen Dispenser Pilot during the coming summer months.

The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme said that the scheme is aimed at encouraging people, particularly those working outdoors or spending long periods outside recreationally, to use sunscreen more frequently.

Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease in Ireland, with nearly 13,000 instances reported annually.

The pilot programme was launched in 2023 with 48 dispensers put in place throughout the country last year. Tipperary County Council took part in the 2023 programme and supplied all of the park runs in Tipperary with a sunscreen dispenser to use. The feedback from last year was very positive so the council have opted to increase the supply this year as part of the expanding of the programme nationwide.

The programme sees the provision of a sunscreen dispenser with a UV index display to a small number of community and voluntary groups who are involved in outdoor leisure activities to trial the unit from the beginning of May to August.

Nenagh MD has requested eight dispensers for different outdoor and amenity areas, Carrick on Suir has requested two dispensers for the community run playgrounds and provision of dispensers has been requested at Inch Field Cahir and the Workman’s Boat Shed in Clonmel where kayaking takes place. Clonmel Park currently have one dispenser that they use for their run on the Tipperary Blue Way.

A total of 20 dispensers will be distributed throughout the County from May until September.