Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps he intends to take to address the issues of isolation and loneliness among elderly persons identified in the recent report of the National Council on Ageing and Older People; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11855/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that I welcome the publication of the report, Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Irish People, by the National Council on Ageing and Older People. The report attempts to measure levels of loneliness among older people, record social isolation and explore the experiences of loneliness as described by older people themselves. I am pleased to note that the report also demonstrates that the majority of a representative sample of older people who were surveyed stated that they were not socially isolated or lonely.

My Department's policy in relation to the care of older people is to maintain them in dignity and independence at home in accordance with the wishes of older people, as expressed in many research studies; restore to independence at home those older people who become ill or dependent; encourage and support the care of older people in their own community by family, neighbours and voluntary bodies; and provide a high quality of hospital and residential care for older people when they can no longer be maintained in dignity and independence at home. This approach to the care of older people is also endorsed in the Health Strategy, Quality & Fairness — A Health Strategy For You.

This Government's commitment to the development of a comprehensive range of services for older people can clearly be demonstrated by outlining the resources made available in recent years for service developments. Between 1997 and 2004, total additional funding allocated for service provision was approximately €287 million. In 2004, a total of €9.5 million in additional revenue funding was allocated to services for older people and for 2005, this figure was increased to €15.228 million. This funding is being used for a variety of services to maintain and support older people living in the community including: home care grants; home help service; and support to voluntary organisations.

Lottery funding is also provided to voluntary organisations working with older people in the community. Many of these voluntary organisations are involved in running day care centres for older people living within their catchment area. These centres provide services such as a midday meal, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody, laundry and hairdressing. They also offer older people the opportunity to socialise, meet new friends and renew acquaintances with old friends and thus help prevent loneliness and isolation. The centres further act as a support for caring relatives, some of whom may have to go out to work during the day, and who can do so in the knowledge that their relative is being cared for in a safe and caring environment. Finally, these centres provide social stimulation in a safe environment, particularly for those older people who are in the early stages of dementia. The development of day care centres supports my Department's policy of maintaining older people in the community. Services provided at day care centres complement one of the key findings in the report which states that in addition to support from families, friends and neighbours, the basic source of social support for older people comes from volunteers, health care and other professionals, and at times, from friends.