Vol. 502 No. 5
63 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to expand to other parts of the country the national help lines for senior citizens which is currently run on a voluntary basis by Summerhill Active Retirement Group, County Meath; if he will encourage this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/99]
Summerhill Active Retirement Group, County Meath, with support from the North-Eastern Health Board, Trim Initiative for Development and Enterprise and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, operate a national help line for older people staffed by older volunteers. The service is confidential and aims to provide telephone support for isolated and lonely older people who need a listening ear. There are no plans to expand the service as it is available for the price of a local call from anywhere in the country.
