Dáil debates

Thursday, 17 September 2020

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Social Isolation

11:30 am

Photo of Martin BrowneMartin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

9. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to address the increased isolation many persons in rural Ireland are facing as the country enters the first winter with Covid-19; her further plans to develop systems in isolated locations in order that the vulnerable can maintain contact with others; if she has plans to provide in-home supports for persons that will need company and other supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24434/20]

Photo of Martin BrowneMartin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State, will be aware there have always been people, especially in rural Ireland, who have found themselves isolated for one reason or another. This has increased in recent times due to the pandemic and the need to fight the virus. What are the Department's plans to tackle this growing problem as we face into the first winter with Covid-19?

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Photo of Martin BrowneMartin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate what the Minister of State has said. The supports to which he has referred will help a little, but rural isolation has been a major problem for many years. There are so many problems in rural Ireland but I do not have time to list them all today. Poverty and lack of transport in rural areas and the reluctance of some people to cry out for help are serious issues, as is the closure of rural post offices. On the latter, plenty of excuses have been given but we all know that when people go missing this is noticed at the local post office and alarm bells ring straight away. In larger urban areas, Martin Browne could be missing for six months and nobody would even care. These are the types of issues that are worrying people in rural areas. They are being cut off from their own communities because of the post office closures. Mental health is going to be a massive issue after this crisis has passed. Money must be pumped in quickly for the measures to which the Minister of State has referred to address the issues we are raising here today.

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and acknowledge everything he is saying. I wish to provide additional information on the senior alert scheme that could be useful. A new befriending phone call initiative will support participants in the senior alert scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Pobal and Alone. The Department has utilised the senior alert scheme, which provides monitored alarms for older people in their homes, to enable the roll-out of the befriending initiative, which requires users to test their alarms to ensure they are still active. Monitoring providers or local community groups operating the senior alert scheme service then contact the users. When users have tested their alarms, they will be called back and asked if they would like to avail of the befriending call service through Alone. The number for Alone is given to the participants or their consent is sought for Alone to be provided with their contact details to be included in the befriending service. The aim of this initiative is to provide peace of mind and local assistance to older people who use the scheme. I urge Deputies to pass on the information that the senior alert scheme has an additional function whereby people who use it can be contacted and put in touch with a service that can help them in a more elaborate way.

Photo of Martin BrowneMartin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State's concern and hope that services are delivered for people going into what will be a tough and frightening winter for many of them. Another issue that arises in this regard is rural crime, particularly for people in more isolated areas. What will the Government do to help rural communities in that context, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána? I am also concerned about those caring for people in isolated rural areas. They will need additional support to look after people with special and complex needs. This caring work will be done when people are more confined than ever before. Is there any plan in place to tackle rural crime and to provide assistance to carers in isolated rural areas?

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rural crime is outside of my remit but in terms of helping people to feel connected and recognised, the Community Call initiative run by the Department is worth mentioning. This initiative sought to link local and national Government with the community and voluntary sectors. Its purpose was to co-ordinate community activity, direct community assistance and organise and deploy volunteers. It is hoped that people will not feel so alone as volunteers call to their homes more often because of the Community Call initiative. Each local authority set up a helpline and supporting database management system and created new Community Call forums, which co-ordinated the work of the local voluntary and community organisations delivering services to cocooners in particular. The immediate focus was on the elderly and most vulnerable, and on mobilising a rapid response in every county to make sure everyone was looked after. The focus then expanded to the well-being of our society and how communities could work together to help the country through the Covid-19 crisis. This will continue over the coming months. Since March, the 31 Community Call forums have answered approximately 54,000 calls, made approximately 21,000 follow-up calls to citizens and held over 460 meetings. Calls to dedicated helplines have related to the delivery of essential items, health services and social isolation.