Charity calls on local election candidates in Dublin to take action for the 264,473 people aged 60+ across the county

ALONE, a national organisation that enables older people to live at home, wants local election candidates to transform communities for an ageing population.

The charity says it is calling on candidates to commit to action on the three areas of Housing, Loneliness and Access to Services.

“We are calling on all Local Election candidates to commit to making Dublin a positive place to grow old,” said ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan.

“Our population is ageing and the people of Dublin need political leaders who will work for and with them to ensure it is a positive place to live for all older people.

“Candidates who are not prioritising older people are leaving a large number of their constituents off their agenda.”

1. Regarding Housing, ALONE is seeing more and more older people in the private rental sector, on social housing lists and at risk of homelessness. We are asking all local election candidates to identify and plan for the broad spectrum of housing needs of older people; and develop targets and measure delivery of housing for older people as part of local housing plans. Included in this is the need for additional funding and support for housing adaptation grants delivered by Local Authorities.

2. Ireland is the loneliest country in Europe according to EU Commission research. ALONE’s request is for local election candidates is to develop a local plan aimed at addressing loneliness across the life course, support initiatives aimed at reducing loneliness and develop a public awareness campaign that highlights loneliness and social isolation, to support and enable the community togetherness and social connection which is so vital at local level.

3. In relation to Access to Services, ALONE sees many people unable to access essential supports and grants due to excessive bureaucracy and asks that all written materials, forms, and services provided by the Local Authority are provided in an accessible format to all older people, regardless of their digital access or literacy status.