John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Health if she will address the recent reduction in funding for an organisation (details supplied); if she is aware that discontinuing the twelve-week introductory programme for new members has significantly reduced accessibility; if she will consider restoring funding to ensure affordability for older participants, given that current costs are prohibitive for many; if private health insurance typically covers the organisations programmes, given many members report they are not reimbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64353/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The services referred to by the Deputy are provided by the HSE through its Community-Based Physical Activity Programmes for Chronic Disease, Tier 2. I have been advised by the HSE that funding to access this programme in the Dublin and Midlands Health Region has not been reduced in 2025.

The HSE operates a ranked drawdown mechanism for each physical activity programme following a tendering process. The provision of exercise programmes is delivered by the top-ranked service provider, based on service requirements, from this tendering process. Accordingly, these services may be delivered by the organisation referred to by the Deputy, or by other service providers, depending on the specific service to be provided.

The HSE works in partnership with a range of organisations to promote and provide a tailored suite of opportunities for physical activity for different population cohorts. In line with the key goals of Healthy Ireland, the promotion of physical activity supports our efforts to increase the proportion of people who are healthy at all stages of life and to reduce health inequalities.

These programmes are informed by Every Move Counts, our national physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines, which were published in 2024 and provide specific recommendations for each population cohort.