The Government has established a cross-departmental working group to explore a ban on commercial sunbed use.
The announcement comes following the publication of a report by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) which recommended the banning of such beds to reduce skin cancer in the State.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed annually.
According to the report, sunbeds are still being used by children and teenagers, despite regulations restricting their availability to anyone under 18.
The IPH said some 5.2 per cent of children aged 10-17 years reported ‘ever’ using a sunbed, while 4.4 per cent of children aged 10-17 reported using a sunbed in the last 12 months.
Sunbed use is similar among boys and girls and among preteen and teenage children, it added.
Among those aged 15 and older, 18.1 per cent report ever using a sunbed, while 2.9 per cent reported current use of sunbeds.
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The majority of sunbed users in this age group were female (82.7 per cent of those who have ever used and 77 per cent of current users).
Using a sunbed carries risk, highest associated with use in childhood and adolescence, as well as frequent use.
People who use sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75 per cent.
In 2023, there were 363 sunbed operators registered with the HSE, which is a legal requirement.
The majority of sunbed providers operate from a beauty salon or stand-alone premises, with 2023 data showing the greatest number of registered providers in Co Dublin (78), followed by Cork (49) and Limerick (23).
HSE data indicates consistent breaches of sunbed regulations, specifically in relation to the minimum legal age of sale, record-keeping, and health claims.
In 2023, HSE enforcement data recorded 394 infringements with regulations across 368 inspections, mainly relating to warning signs, records, provision of eyewear and health information.
There were 10 infringements identified through 47 test purchases, mainly for noncompliance with age verification.
According to the report, there were 17 fixed payment notices served, and four prosecutions taken under the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014.
Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Minister of State with responsibility for public health, said “there is no safe level of sunbed use”, and the establishment of the working group seeks to protect the public from “preventable harm”.
“The evidence is clear: sunbeds are still being used by children and young people, despite legal restrictions,” she said.
“This is deeply concerning. We must do everything within our power to protect people from its harms in order to save lives and reduce the burden of cancer on our health service. ”
