Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I assure him that I am from rural Ireland and I understand the situation. I am also familiar with the Deputy's constituency as I have some relatives living there. We are doing more than I can tell the Deputy about in the time available to me. Many of the Department's policies and funding programmes aim to address isolation in rural and urban communities and to deliver benefits to communities by responding to the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals, especially during Covid-19. Key interventions include funding for the senior alert scheme, which enables older people to live securely with peace of mind in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms maintaining contact, if required, with those who are vulnerable. As part of the Department's Covid-19 action plan, increased support was provided for older people through the Department's partnership with Alone for a crisis telephone support line and follow-on practical support for those who need it. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, SICAP, is Ireland's primary social inclusion and funding intervention. It is delivered locally by local development companies to help those in the greatest need to access supports to enable participation in communities. I can elaborate further on what it is doing if I have time.

There are also infrastructural measures that will facilitate better contact with people. Broadband connection points in remote areas in particular will provide access to high-speed broadband for communities awaiting the roll-out of the national broadband plan. The 2020 town and village renewal scheme is tailored to include projects which adapt outdoor spaces for hosting social gatherings and events to support economic and social recovery in our rural towns and villages. The 2020 CLÁR programme funds school and community safety measures including the provision of safety-related improvements to the environs of schools and community spaces for Covid-19 and other reasons. This facilitates people in vulnerable positions who are going to school and bringing children to school. The Government will continue to monitor the adequacy of these supports to address isolation in the coming months. If I have time, I will elaborate on some other measures.

See this speech in context