Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

As the Senator mentioned older adults, I will outline what my colleague, the Minister for Health, has been doing to make physical activity opportunities available to this group. Physical activity for older adults is promoted by Age and Opportunity, a national development organisation working to enable the best possible quality of life for this population group. This organisation is a key stakeholder for Healthy Ireland and is supported by the HSE and Sport Ireland.

Age and Opportunity has a number of dedicated physical activity programmes, which I will mention. For example, the physical activity leaders, PALs, training programme is provided for anyone interested in physical activity initiatives in their community. Similarly, CarePALs training programme is available for those working or volunteering in care settings to lead suitable physical activities with people in their care. FitLine is a volunteer-led telephone mentoring service, which provides callers with information about clubs, groups and facilities in their area. Healthy Ireland is working with Age and Opportunity and other partners on developing walking football for older adults. This is becoming increasingly popular and has great potential for further development. I again thank the Senator for the opportunity to provide this important information to the House.