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A €3 MILLION fund is to be launched to help combat loneliness in the community.
The first of its kind fund will go towards helping local groups and community-based projects, with applications for funding being accepted for between €5,000 and €100,000.
Minister of State for Mental Health Jim Daly secured the funding, which is separate from the HSE’s mental health budget.
Fianna Fáil Senator Keith Swanick, who has campaigned for a dedicated Minister for Loneliness at Cabinet, said he welcomed the funding allocation.
Writing for TheJournal.ie recently, the senator said that in his primary role as a rural GP, he sees the profound physical and mental health problems that are exacerbated by loneliness.
He said Ireland should have a minister with responsibility for loneliness, stating that UK Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Tracey Crouch as Minister for Loneliness, borne out of the legacy of the late Jo Cox MP. Prior to her murder in 2016 by a far-right extremist, Jo Cox had campaigned for the establishment of a Commission on Loneliness.
“This morning’s announcement is very welcome for all of us involved in the Loneliness Taskforce and thousands of older people living alone. I had met with Minister Daly in the build up to today’s announcement to discuss how best we can tackle this problem.
“Our report called for a dedicated fund of €3 million to be established. Now this new fund will be in place for groups applying for funding in their efforts to combat loneliness,” said Senator Swanick.
He urged young professionals and students to draw down funding for their befriending groups and similar initiatives.
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Not the kind of pool game that was anticipated then!
@Jack Hayes: the new sport of, water rugby.
@Brian Keelty: is this a sort of wet t shirt concept for hot rugby players? Asking for a friend
Must have been really bad to have a rugby match cancelled.
@Spanner: Water logged pitch…
Danger of players drowning from rucks or collapsed scrums..
@Jack Dermody: not pointless displays of egoism you get the whole time in football. Shame on Ronaldo for not coming up and showing a bit of love to that player that hit the post #POR
Fair decision.
Athlone stadium.. rained out with actual Athlone rain :p
Yessssss only cos it’s class to see it rain logged if it wasn’t rugby we could go see. I know for others it’s insufferably long now the season and in particular the UK prem now. Would love a nice rugby friendly on a rainy summer day
Otherwise, is Faloon still as much of a ride as ever? Darren Cave is
have your say