I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to the House and thank him for coming in to discuss these important issues.

I welcome the opportunity to raise the matter of ExWell Medical. It is a transformative, medically supervised exercise programme supporting people right across our communities. ExWell was founded in 2019 by Dr. Noel McCaffrey, following on from an initiative at Dublin City University. Since then, it has grown and now serves more than 7,500 participants weekly across 48 centres nationwide, including several in south Dublin. The programme often operates in community centres and local authority venues. Its aim is simple but profound: to reverse the physical and social deconditioning that occurs with chronic illness through structured, safe and supported exercise.

What makes ExWell different is its medical grounding. These are not just fitness classes but clinical interventions. Participants are inducted, assessed, monitored and supported by over 70 clinical staff. The benefits are clear, and include improvements in cardiovascular health, strength, balance, mental well-being, reductions in isolation and, ultimately, less demand on our acute hospital services. This is the essence of preventative healthcare. It is Sláintecare in practice, being community led, inclusive and person-centred. Cost barriers are, however, placing access to this programme at risk for many of those who would benefit most. At centres like Citywest, classes were fully funded until 2022, but are now charged at €10 per session or €70 to €80 a month. For pensioners attending twice weekly, this is up to €40 per week, which is an unsustainable cost for many on a fixed income. A report in The Echo newspaper last year featured older residents in my community who had to reduce their attendance or stop altogether once HSE support was withdrawn. They described the programme as a lifeline, not only for their physical health but for their mental health and social connection. While some local authorities have been able to partially subsidise the programme, this varies hugely by region. We now have a postcode lottery, where access to preventative health supports depends on where people live and whether they can afford to pay.

We know that exercise is medicine. ExWell is delivering measurable clinical outcomes that reduce pressure on hospitals and GPs, but we cannot expect it to succeed if we continue to treat it as an optional extra rather than a core public health service. I ask that the Department of Health and the HSE engage with ExWell Medical to review the funding structure, with a view to reinstating or expanding central support, especially for in-person programmes where medical supervision and social engagement are so impactful. I also ask that the Department request greater transparency on cost structures across centres so we can better identify gaps and target supports to those most in need. Preventative healthcare should not be a luxury.

I thank the Senator for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, and outline the progress being made by the Government in this area. The promotion of physical activity for health is a priority under the Healthy Ireland framework, Ireland’s national strategy for improving the health and well-being of the population. This was evidenced by the publication of the national physical activity plan in 2016. Substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the 60 actions set out in the plan, co-led by the Department of Health and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. They are supported by a cross-sectoral implementation group that includes a range of other Government Departments and agencies.

Healthy Ireland has used this collaborative approach to inform its support for Sport Ireland, which targets initiatives that promote population levels of physical activity and those with a health dimension. The Department of Health also directly supports national governing bodies for walking, cycling, swimming and running, as well as organisations to promote physical activity such as Parkrun, Age and Opportunity and Men’s Sheds. Increasing physical activity levels in children and young people is a priority. The Departments of Health, education and sport and their respective agencies are collaborating extensively to promote and access physical activity and sport in schools. This joined-up approach is crucial to the roll-out of continued development of the active school flag programme.

The first iteration of the 2016 plan has now reached the end of its timeframe. A successor framework and action plan has been developed and is in the process of being submitted to the Government for approval and publication. The framework seeks to put in place a range of longer term aims and objectives underpinning the need for consistent and coherent policy responses across a broad range of stakeholders to 2040. This recognises that the drivers of behavioural change are complex and challenging. The achievement of the objectives of this framework will be driven by a series of action plans. The first national physical activity action plan will cover the period to 2029 and sets out 59 commitments across a range of stakeholders and sectors.

ExWell is one of a range of organisations providing community-based exercise classes for chronic disease populations. These include patient support organisations, not-for-profit organisations and the publicly funded network of local sports partnerships across Ireland. The HSE works in partnership with many of these organisations to ensure access to exercise provision for adults living with chronic disease. Occasionally, the HSE has established formal working and funding relationships with ExWell Limited to provide access for patients to its exercise programmes. The cost structure of any programme administered by ExWell is a matter for that organisation.

The Department of Health is also working closely with the HSE on the design and implementation of a physical activity pathways in healthcare model of care, which will provide a structured physical activity programme for people with chronic disease or long-term health conditions, with a focus on building their skills and confidence to engage with and maintain recreational sport participation independently. Any future engagement with ExWell Medical will be considered in the context of these structures.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. In the next iteration of the national physical activity plan I would like to see a focus on exercise for older people. The benefits to people of being more active are a no-brainer. People in my community are worried about being able to afford their ExWell sessions. They are living on a pension and trying to make the positive change we all talk about. Cost is a barrier. The Minister of State mentioned that the HSE has occasionally established formal working and funding relationships. These are in situ . I know the physical activity pathways in healthcare model of care. I would be interested to see if that mirrors or is similar to the service provided by ExWell. If something is already working, we should use it to the fullest of its capabilities.

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.

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I raise this matter because I believe it is incredibly important. It is the need to provide ring-fenced funding towards transport for those in receipt of adult disability day services. Currently, children in special schools who are in receipt of disability day services can receive transport to and from their service until they turn 18 years of age. At that point, when they graduate from special schools to adult disability day services, there is no longer a provision for transport services. This makes services inaccessible to a lot of those with disabilities. It is incredibly unfair that a service that is available before you hit 18 is then taken away when you hit 18. People are unable to access their services because of this. These are some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. It is vital that this service be made available to them.

Access to transport to avail of these services can in certain cases be the difference between a service user being in day services or residential care. In cases where parents or care providers cannot provide transport, and given that many of these service users cannot use public transport, the possibility of residential care at that point has to be examined. I am aware of many families, particularly elderly care providers and parents, who are in that situation because transport is not available.

Carers are already under pressure. Often, when they are looking after a child or adult with a disability, they have other obligations in their household. They may be looking after elderly parents or have other children in the household. That this transport is not available for those in receipt of these services is grossly unfair in this day and age. These are some of the most vulnerable in our society. I come across a lot of these cases in my area of north-west Cork. Last week, I had a call from a lady whose son turns 18 in August. As a result, he is no longer able to go to the special school he is attending, even though some of his mainstream peers will be going on to do the leaving certificate. He will then be in receipt of adult disability day services. Thankfully, he has been able to receive a service, but the lack of transport means he may be unable to access it. There are so many cases like this around the country. This young man's mother said that if it was the case that his disability disappeared when he turned 18, she would be absolutely delighted but obviously that is not going to happen. Why then will his transport facility and funding disappear when he turns 18?

The Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Naughton, thanks the Senator for raising this important issue, and I am responding on her behalf.

The HSE provides specialist disability services, including day services and rehabilitative training, to people with disabilities who require such services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE and funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different regional health areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis. Some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.

In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the free travel pass. The HSE has been working with the National Transport Authority on the issue of transport to day services through the open routes project. Open routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services, such as day services, would be best served by accessible local public transport, such as Local Link transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community with enhanced public transport provision. This approach is being piloted in County Leitrim.

The National Transport Authority advises that the integrated pilot project was developed in close collaboration with the HSE, with a revised network that is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing health care services in the county. To date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as the HSE, day service providers, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. In addition to the positive feedback, passenger numbers on regular rural services have grown considerably since the introduction of the revised TFI Local Link network for County Leitrim. This is a model that could be considered by the National Transport Authority for application elsewhere as appropriate. The forthcoming National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 will feature transport and mobility as a key pillar, acknowledging the important role that reliable and accessible solutions play in supporting the economic and social inclusion of disabled people.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and appreciate that this is not his Ministry. I find the reply incredibly disappointing. As the Minister of State has noted, there are transport services available on a limited and discretionary basis. There are no guidelines. There is not even a means test in place. I have thankfully worked closely with some of the fortunate recipients and from what I can see, it is available on a "he or she who shouts the loudest" basis. The idea that the funding is there on a discretionary basis with absolutely no guidelines is not good enough. It falls between Departments. I previously raised this matter through the HSE South forum and Cork County Council. Health told me to go to transport and transport and told me to go to health. This is falling between two or even three stools, with the Department of disability as well.

I welcome the update about the open routes project. While it is a really good project, I am not sure how applicable it is in very remote and rural areas. I note the pilot is in Leitrim and seems to be going very well. As well as those to whom it is not available in terms of geography, there are also those who would not have the ability to independently access public transport. I know that open routes is a more accommodating way of doing this. For the more severe kids and adults who are starting off with their disability day services, they may not be able to use that. A public transport-based system, even if it is something like open routes, is not going to be accessible to them, which makes their service less accessible.

The ambition of this Government is to bring about a step change in the services for people with disability in Ireland. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability and the Government are committed to the expansion and reform of disability services in order to maximise people's independence and help to support them to live their lives on the same basis as all other citizens. In addition to the open routes project already referred to, during 2024 the Department of Children, Disability and Equality supported two transport-related initiatives. First, it sanctioned a one-off funding measure of €3.6 million to be used for the upgrade and replacement of transport vehicles in day services, building on a similar approach to addressing the issue of ageing vehicles in disability residential and respite services in 2021. This funding was specifically aimed at supporting the provision of vehicles for transport to day services where other transport solutions were not available or where an ageing fleet existed. Second, there was funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund for an in-school travel training pilot in the former CHO 3 mid-west area to support young people transitioning to a HSE-funded day service to undertake travel training in their final year at school. In line with the whole-of-government approach to supporting mainstream services to better support those with disabilities, which is reflected in the national disability inclusion strategy, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport, and for developing proposals for better co-ordination of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities. A transport working group was established to make progress under the relevant action of the strategy. The group's final report has been published and contains valuable proposals to inform future policy and action. It will be incumbent on all Government Departments and agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to consider the proposals in the context of the next steps.

I am rising to speak about an issue that is pressing but that also has a moral dimension, namely the need for a national comprehensive strategy for the effective utilisation of surplus renewable energy in a manner that prioritises individuals and households experiencing energy poverty. We are seeing in various news reports that families are starting to choose between heating their home and eating. That should not be a reality in modern Ireland in 2025. According to the most recent ESRI report, 550,000 households in the Republic of Ireland had that choice in the last year. Fuel poverty is not just about discomfort; it carries profound health consequences as well. Cold homes contribute to respiratory illness and poor mental health, and exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities of older people and younger children, and those living with illness.

It is not an abstract policy that I am talking about. I have personally witnessed the pain of fuel poverty through the homeless organisation I am connected with, which I founded in 2006. Working in that sector, I have met families trying to keep their children warm in overcrowded accommodation or accommodation that is not suitable. I have seen individuals doing all they can to rebuild their lives from marginalisation but unable to afford basic heat. The stress, shame and all of that would erode dignity. The suffering is made more unacceptable when we consider that Ireland has wasted more than €2.1 billion worth of renewable energy over the past eight years. That is 7,022 GWh of clean wind energy, enough to power billions of hot water tanks which are currently left unused. While families shiver in cold homes, we are turning off clean energy at source. That is not just inefficiency; it is questionable and possibly indefensible.

A national strategy is urgently needed, one that champions surplus renewable energy being directly focused towards those experiencing fuel poverty. I am asking the Minister to commit to publishing a strategy with measurable targets for how surplus energy can be deployed to support the vulnerable households I mentioned. From my own experience, it is not abstract or wishful thinking innovation or distant climate goals. It is about justice and compassion and makes total common sense. When we waste energy, we lose more than just efficiency. We lose the opportunity to help the people I have mentioned. Such a strategy would incorporate social equality such that everybody would be treated equally on all energy planning nationally. Climate action must be for everyone, not just those who can afford it. The programme for Government promised to explore these solutions but now it is time to act, not with another report but with real policy change. Let us ensure that no family is left in the cold. As an approved housing body in Greystones, Tiglin has accommodation for individuals. We work with EnergyCloud and have set about reusing surplus energy. It has worked amazingly. If that could be put into a national plan, it would be amazing.

I thank Senator McCarthy for the opportunity to address this important issue. Ireland's climate action plans recognise the need for the electricity sector to become more adaptable and flexible, in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid. To ensure reliability in such a distributed energy system, as well as to minimise the network upgrades needed to accommodate peaks in demand, it will be vital to align our electricity use with periods of plentiful, low-cost renewable generation. Ireland’s citizens, including energy-poor and vulnerable households, can play a central role in this transition by flexibly managing their energy assets in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and, by doing so, can lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Renewable energy generation poses unique challenges to the electricity network - for example, when the wind stops blowing or the sun goes down - which greatly challenge the capacity of the grid to continually maximise the incorporation and delivery of the renewable generated electricity. To operate the grid using increased volumes of variable renewable energy sources, the grid needs increased amounts of specialist services, referred to as "system services", to ensure grid stability.

Electricity storage systems are well placed to provide system services in an efficient, controlled, safe and regulated manner. Electricity storage also has the ability to charge at times of surplus renewable generation and discharge again at times of high demand, thereby utilising surplus renewable electricity effectively. This, in turn, will assist in securing the supply of green renewable energy to the Irish consumer, reducing the need for costly fossil-fuel generation.

As the electricity network grows to meet Ireland's future supply and demand requirements, the strategic location and operation of electricity storage systems will help to maximise renewable integration and alleviate grid issues, such as surplus renewable energy. This, in turn, will reduce the levels of surplus renewable energy.

The programme for Government acknowledges the pressure that increased energy costs place on households and businesses and seeks to lower prices while accelerating the pace of renewable deployment.

The Department has established the accelerating renewable electricity task force to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation and support flexible network infrastructure to ensure that indigenous renewable power reaches our homes and businesses.

Renewable electricity helps lower the cost of electricity for households and businesses by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and increasing price stability. Enhanced energy security through domestically produced electricity reduces dependence on imported fuels, making Ireland less vulnerable to global energy price shocks.

The national energy affordability task force has also been established to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability. The ongoing work of the task force will include a full review of cost drivers within the energy sector and the development of an energy affordability action plan, which will include recommendations for structural reforms to benefit consumers.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome that it recognises the importance of surplus renewable energy in shaping a fairer energy future for us all. However, I have to express concern that, without a defined strategy or measurable targets, we risk missing a crucial opportunity and wasting over 7,000 GWh of clean energy while hundreds of households going without heat or affordable bills.

I urge the Minister of State to commit to a cross-departmental national strategy that prioritises the needs of those most impacted by fuel poverty. We have the technology, the resources and the mandate from our climate commitments. What is needed now is leadership and urgency. I believe the ambition. Let us turn it into action and ensure that no one goes cold while clean power goes unused.

The rapid expansion of renewable sources of energy is critical to lowering costs and protecting those in or at risk of energy poverty. As we move to higher levels of variable renewables, it will be necessary for electricity demand to become much more flexible to match when renewable electricity is plentiful and prices are at their lowest.

The Department is leading on a new cross-Government energy affordability task force that aims to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses operating within the broader policy context set out by the programme for Government and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. A key output of this task force will be to develop and publish an energy affordability action plan, which will identify a comprehensive range of solutions, including potential demand-side solutions for households to allow them to adjust their energy demand and avail of low-cost or otherwise surplus renewable energy.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit.

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for coming to the House this morning.

My Commencement matter this morning calls for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the proposal from Dublin City Council for the introduction of a tourist bed tax and for the Minister to make a statement on his Department's proposals to legislate to give local authorities revenue-raising powers.

The Minister of State will be aware that the introduction of a bed tax, accommodation tax or tourism tax - there are many ways it is referred to - is an idea that has been spoken about for many years but the concept of a visitor tax in the capital is one that Dublin City Council has been progressing. It is the norm in many other large international cities. Amsterdam has one, as do many other European cities.

The Dublin City Council proposal is for the Government to give powers to the local authority to, at the latter's discretion, introduce a local visitor tax. The idea from Dublin City Council is that it would have the power to raise its own revenues and would use those additional revenues to address issues in the capital, such as street cleaning, public space maintenance, the public domain, enhancements in infrastructure, and investment in culture, heritage and entertainment in the city.

I acknowledge when raising this issue that there are significant and record levels of funding being transferred from central government to local government. It is over €750 million this year alone. I also acknowledge the announcement last week of the adjustment to the local property tax, which will result in an additional €19 million in funding for Dublin City Council in 2026. That is really welcome. However, if the Minister of State comes with me and walks along the streets of Dublin, he will conclude, as I have done, that the place is filthy most of the time. It is unacceptably dirty. I appreciate that Dublin City Council has a challenge. It is a really busy city with heavy footfall, but we need a cleaner city. We need the public spaces to feel safe and clean.

We also need investment in our culture, heritage and entertainment. There are incredible works being done in the city in terms of culture - everything from the people down in The Complex in Smithfield, Stoneybatter Festival, Phizzfest, The Five Lamps Arts Festival, the Gate Theatre, and even Style in the City, which is being promoted over the weekends and whereby, on Henry Street and Grafton Street on alternating Saturdays, we will have catwalks, fashion shows and all sorts of style.

The city council, DublinTown and many others are doing great work but the Dublin city councillors themselves feel that they need the power to introduce a visitor tax that they can use to further enhance the city experience. I hope the Minister of State can advise the House on the work his Department has done to examine their proposal, his intentions and his Department's intentions to give powers to the local authorities to have revenue-raising within their own jurisdiction, how that might potentially work and the timescale for same.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which has been raised recently in national media.

As the Senator will be aware, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for the financial well-being and effective financial management and accountability of local authorities. Where a policy change in relation to local government finances and funding is sought, the first consideration will be by that Department.

The Senator will be aware that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, and the Minister of State with responsibility for planning and local government, Deputy John Cummins, announced the establishment of the local democracy task force to finalise a programme of reform and strengthen local government in Ireland on 5 June.

One matter that the task force is to consider is that of granting councillors greater input and control over the development and implementation of the local authority budget and mechanisms to enhance the fiscal autonomy of local authorities. Both the Senator and I served on our own local authorities, and certainly one could be frustrated at times by the restrictions placed on our powers by the unavailability of funding.

The task force will report to the Government in 2026. Under its terms of reference, consideration will be given as to ways in which local authorities could increase fiscal autonomy through own resources, including wider variation options for local property tax, by reviewing existing revenue-raising and debt management options and matched funding requirements.

The key here is new or alternative revenue-raising powers, which could potentially include an accommodation levy. In the event that the task force suggests that local authorities be given powers to put an accommodation levy in place, this matter can be considered in the first instance by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

As the Senator will appreciate, there are a range of policy issues that could arise from any new levy or charge to be set by local authorities and that would need to be considered before a proposal could be discussed by the Government.

On foot of advice from his Department, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may choose to bring a proposal for an accommodation levy to the Cabinet. Any such proposal would examine the range of policy considerations, including the possible impact on tourism as well as the design and scope of such a levy. This would include consideration of what flexibility local authorities would have in setting an amount for such a levy and whether it was applied universally to all visitors every night. Whether such a levy would apply a single rate or whether it would facilitate different bands of rates is another issue that might require consideration.

I expect that, in developing any policy proposal in this area, the Minister, Deputy Browne, will consult with his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke. The latter's Department would be in a position to advise on any implications such a proposal would have on tourism, as well as being in a position to provide observations on the impact on businesses in the sector.

Any proposal on funding for local authorities would also need to be considered by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in the context of all other expenditure priorities and as part of the annual Estimates process. From previous engagement with the Senator I am aware that she has already engaged in consultation with that Department. Any questions on the work of the local democracy task force are for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the first instance.

To summarise, the key here is the task force that has been established. I encourage Senator Fitzpatrick, with her colleagues on Dublin City Council, to make a submission to the task force to show there is a desire and willingness to work on a potential new levy. The task force could consider that and ultimately report to the Government.

I appreciate the Minister of State's response and that this matter falls to the Minister for local government. I will take up the issue with the local democracy task force. I am the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for local government and I look forward to engaging with the task force.

One point that is very clear from the Minister of State's reply is that no action will be taken by the Department of Finance on the introduction of new revenue-raising powers for local authorities before the local democracy task force reports, which will not be until 2026. That is a very important piece of information for councillors to take into account.

In going forward, the local democracy task force is incredibly important for elected representatives, and not just in this area, as there are other issues that need to be addressed for councillors and other elected representatives in terms of the fine balancing of powers between councils' executive and elected functions. There is a real opportunity for the Government, with the local democracy task force, to work with elected representatives to deliver stronger local government in each of the 31 local authorities.

I thank the Minister of State for his time today. I will engage with the local democracy task force.

Senator Fitzpatrick said the task force would not report until 2026. Perhaps I am wrong, but it seemed like she was saying that is a long time away. It is not really.

I mean for budgetary purposes.

Budget 2026 is probably only 12 or 13 weeks away. Preparations for it are well advanced in my Department. We are meeting various groups to hear pre-budget submissions and work is under way. If we could get something agreed in the task force, a realistic timeframe would be for budget 2027, given that it is only 12 or 13 weeks to budget 2026. I do not need to tell Senator Fitzpatrick what to do because she is acutely aware of how to do her work, but I encourage her to focus her efforts and work with the local authorities to make a submission to the task force. If the case is not made to the task force, then it may not be part of its proposal. That is what should happen in the first instance.

As someone who served in local government for nine years, I welcome the task force. I always took pride in the work of local government, but I am not blind to the need for it to be more efficient, transparent and accountable, not just to the elected politicians, but to the people they serve. This task force is an opportunity to do that. I will happily work with the Senator on putting forward real, tangible proposals that will enhance and strengthen the role of local government because citizens deserve that, as do the local politicians who serve on the councils.