Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests, whom I have met before in my role as Sinn Féin spokesperson for older people. I thank them for being here.

I wish to follow on from Senator Conway, who asked about the incidence of loneliness. Like the Senator, I want to know whether the problem existed pre Covid or whether it has emerged since.

I have a few questions about the state of mental health among older people. What are the demographics? Is it mostly males or females who suffer most from mental health problems? Will our guests provide an insight in that regard?