Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ms Murphy addressed the issue of loneliness,which is one of the biggest issues in both urban and rural areas right across the country. Later, there will be statements in the Seanad on post offices, the valuable work they do and why they need to be supported. Have the witnesses looked at the Scottish model or at the research on the role of the postman, the delivery of post and the knock on the door? I am thinking of Storm Éowyn and the need to deliver meals on wheels to our vulnerable adults.

People could not make contact with the HSE after the storm because the telephone lines were down, so it was back to the idea of meitheal as to how to actually support them within their communities. Have the witnesses looked at some of the really good models of providing support within communities that exist in other areas or jurisdictions? The Minister, Deputy Calleary, and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, were before the committee last week. They referred to the fact that €440 million is being spent on community development projects on an annual basis. However, projects are only as good as the support we provide to people in communities in the context of seeking to address their vulnerability or isolation. Senator Goldsboro was involved in the community cafés that were represented here last week. Are there good examples we can look to in the context of providing a honey pot of supports to people right across the country?