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Taoiseach launches report on ways to a better life NASCADH CDP have published a report that lists 23 ways in which the lives of older people in East Wall may be improved. In launching the ‘East Wall Older Persons Needs Analysis Report’ on January 22nd, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said, “It is very encouraging to note that the overwhelming majority of those surveyed feel happy and safe living in the area. But I also take from the report that people are feeling less connected to their community, which can lead to a sense of isolation and concerns around safety.” He praised Nascadh’s 60-page report as “a very practical and successful model of consultation and engagement and it could usefully be replicated in other communities across the country.” “The Government is convinced of the value, and indeed necessity, of involving older
Denis on his rounds delivering meals on wheels in East Wall.
Kathleen talking to Owen Binchy, Nascadh CDP co-ordinator, during a meeting about older people’s needs in East Wall, Dublin.
people - in common with all other sectors in society - in discussions, debates and decisions on the design, delivery and monitoring of services which we provide on their behalf. We are committed to ensuring that they are fully empowered and facilitated to do so,” added An Taoiseach. The launch took place, unusually, in Store Street Garda Station, where a number of Community Gardaí who work in the East Wall are based. Nascadh CDP chairperson, Fran Laycock, is hopeful that all the recommendations will be acted on over the next few years. Better public transport was, for instance, one of the more important recommendations. He said the motivation for the research “emerged from a genuine fear and concern
Bertie describes ‘phantom’ bus service
The report says: The ‘East Wall Older Persons Needs Analysis Report’ states: • 97.5% of older people like living in the East Wall area. • 90.1% of older people in East Wall said that they feel safe living in the area, although a significant number of older people said they do not go out at all during the evening or night-time. • The best things about life in East Wall are good neighbours and friends, being close to local amenities and being close to the city centre of Dublin. • The litter and rubbish in public spaces, anti-social behaviour and the poor public bus service are the worst things about living in East Wall. • Nearly half of the older people in East Wall (49.2%) live by themselves. • For 23.5% of older people in East Wall there are days during every week when they do not meet any other person. This figure rises to 47.9% of the older people who live by themselves. Overall 242 questionnaires were filled in for the research.
changing ireland
that not enough attention was being given to the needs of older people living in East Wall.” “There was a feeling that the voice of older people was rarely heard in discussions and debates about ways in which their lives might be improved.” Stephen Rourke, who compiled the report, said, “Many older people in East Wall are not coming out, are not turning up at community activities and are removed from the rest of the local community in East Wall. The key challenge is to identify the types of activities which will attract the active interest of older people and, then, to encourage the more isolated and vulnerable older people to participate in these activities.” He also noted that older people were pleased to be consulted.
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THE Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, reports Nascadh CDP coordinator, Owen Binchy, “highlighted the need to roll out primary health care units like in Ballymun across Ireland, including of course Dublin’s North Inner City. He spoke of how the new community centre would provide many of the services that older people in East Wall need. He also spoke of the
importance of it being properly funded and commended the good work being done by the CDP’s voluntary management committee.” “He spoke in detail about what he called 'the phantom 53 bus service' and he questioned the logic and economics of using double decker buses, through narrow streets and with a relatively small population.”
www.ohchr.org = united nations human rights website