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OVER 5,000 CALLS were made to the government’s Community Call helpline and over 3,000 calls to ALONE since the appeal was launched last Thursday.
Community Call project is a partnership with national and local government, which involves the community and voluntary sectors that help the vulnerable.
ALONE, the national charity for older people, is partnering each Covid-19 Community Call Forum.
Each local authority has established a Community Call Forum to provide supports or services to any vulnerable person who needs them.
Between Monday 30 March and Sunday 5 April, the 31 local authorities has received an estimated 5,051 calls and made an estimated 2,198 follow-up calls.
The project has provided 1,871 collection and delivery services and provided 686 social isolation services, and 218 meal services.
ALONE received 3,121 calls in four days.
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy said there is a tremendous amount of community spirit throughout the country during the public health emergency.
He said the helplines and contact email addresses established for those needing help accessing basic physical and social supports have been very effective.
“The helplines are also taking calls from those who know someone who needs help and those who would like to offer help. Local authorities, the relevant State agencies and community groups on the ground are working together to deliver services to people in need, be it the delivery of a meal, fuel or medicine. I want to thank and pay tribute to all involved for their hard work and incredible commitment to the most vulnerable in our communities,” he said.
“Many people are feeling anxious at this difficult time. Each forum is offering important support to those experiencing social isolation or who are ‘cocooning’. Each forum is also engaging with people who would like to offer help in a voluntary capacity,” he said.
Minister for Rural Affairs Michael Ring said he wanted to convey a message to those who are vulnerable, stating “help is there and you should not hesitate to ask for it”.
A dedicated phone helpline is operational in every county and the national number 0818 222 024 is also now in operation.
You can find your local authorities helpline here.
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The state does not have the interests of the population front and centre.
As always the state has the interests of the rich at the heart of its agenda.
Otherwise, all resources would be bent in a mass organisation of society to defend the health and well-being of all citizens.
@PV Nevin: incorrect as can be clearly seen by looking at what has been accomplished in the last 3 weeks.
@Paul: Really, what has been accomplished? 99 clusters in nursing homes?
@PV Nevin: surely if that was true government would not have enforced a lockdown. The lockdown has massive implications for business interests in order to protect public health.
Basically the opposite of what you are suggesting.
@john doe:
You are in for a rude shock, given your child-like faith in the government.
What off all the low-paid workers forced to mingle with each other and the public? Where is their ‘lockdown’?
All governments are now drawing up plans to savage state services and benefits.
The so-called left have gone very, very quiet. They know when to shut up.
Anyone who needs anything picked up from a shop or chemist in the Bayside area of D13 give me a shout, I’m an ‘essential employee’ so I’ll be passing by shops and that on my way to and from work.
Expect thousands more when the “I’m too important to get this virus ” brigade of irresponsible idiots when they travel all over Ireland to infest every beauty spot in the country this weekend.
Then when they murder their elderly relatives and those with underline health issues.
have your say