A new campaign is being launched to encourage healthier practices for public sector workers - including healthy eating and more active lifestyles.

Public employers are being asked to develop the so-called 'Healthy Workplaces' policies under laws being pushed by Health Minister Leo Varadkar.

The law will mean employers will offer healthy eating options in staff canteens, set up walking or exercise groups, promote better mental health and promote walking or cycling to work.

However it will be up to each employer to decide exactly what measures they take to improve the health of Ireland's 288,000 public workers - 15% of the workforce in Ireland.

Minister Varadkar says, “it’s well established that a healthy workforce is a happier one with low levels of sick leave and greater productivity. So this approach makes pure business sense too for the public and private sectors. We are putting this on a statutory basis to send a clear message that we mean business in improving the nation’s health.

"A similar approach was taken with health and safety statements years ago which have helped to reduce dramatically the rates of workplace injuries and deaths,” he adds.

The Health Minister also suggests the health service 'wants to learn' from policies that have been implemented in private companies, and says, "there will also be opportunities for companies which haven’t developed their own policies just yet."