Senators call on the Government to appoint a Minister to tackle loneliness in Ireland

Green Party Senators have put forward a motion calling on the Government to tackle loneliness and isolation by appointing a Minister with specific responsibility for the issue.

The motion, which can be read here, calls for loneliness to be treated as public health issue and that an action plan should be created to confront it.

Ireland is ranked the loneliest country in Europe, according to a report released by the European Parliament last year.

READ MORE: Over 50% of people in Ireland believe they have suffered depression, new study reveals

More than 20 per cent of respondents in Ireland reported feeling lonely, following data collected from more than 25,000 Europeans in 27 EU Member States, where the average is only 13 per cent.

US Surgeon-General Dr Vivek Murthy recently warned loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges, and that lacking connection can "increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily."

In 2018, then-British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed the country’s first minister for loneliness to lead on issues connected to social isolation.

Now Green Party Senators Pauline O’Reilly, Roisin Garvey, Vincent P. Martin and Malachai O’Hara are calling for the Government to introduce a similar position in Ireland to tackle this issue.

“It's vital the Government sets up a commission on loneliness as soon as possible, so we have a real and true picture of this huge social issue and can plan and implement a proper plan to tackle it," said Senator Garvey, Leader of the Green Party in the Seanad.

"As spokesperson for Rural Development, I witness regularly first-hand older people especially struggling with loneliness due to isolation. By 2030 older persons will account for 17.5 per cent of the total. We need to get serious about loneliness or it will be an epidemic."

Senator Martin added: "We call on the Government to publish an Action Plan to Combat Loneliness and Isolation, dedicated to improving social connection across all ages.

"This should link Government departments, local authorities and community groups to work in harmony to combat loneliness.

"We also call on the Government to appoint a Minister with specific responsibility for reducing loneliness and improving social connectivity."

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