Loneliness Taskforce urges Government to take “last chance” to live up to their commitment to tackle loneliness

The Loneliness Taskforce has urged Government to take their last opportunity to live up to their Programme for Government commitment to address loneliness ahead of Budget 2025.

Some of the individual members of the Taskforce are tackling the effects of loneliness every day in their services, others are seeing the results in their academic work but together they are calling for Government action.

The Taskforce, established in 2018, is calling on Government to commit targeted funding in Budget 2025 to tackle Ireland’s loneliness problem.

Research has shown that Ireland has the highest rates of loneliness in the EU (1).

A motion was passed in the Seanad (2) earlier this year calling on Government to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to publish an Action Plan to Combat Loneliness and Isolation, and to establish an Expert Action Group on loneliness through the Department of the Taoiseach.

“There is clear cross-party support for the development of an action plan to combat loneliness,” said Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE.

“But this cannot be achieved without funding being designated in Budget 2025 to get this over the line.

“Government have committed across several strategies to develop this action plan, and Budget 2025 will be the last opportunity it will have to provide funding for it before a General Election.

“It is past time for Government to address this issue.”

Recently published Irish research has demonstrated the diverse range of populations experiencing loneliness, including older people (3), pregnant women and new mothers (4), family carers (5), and young adults (6).

Member organisations of the Taskforce report that loneliness is a growing health and social issue which poses a significant problem for their service users, who come from all age groups and backgrounds.

Loneliness has also been linked to the wish to die among older adults (7).

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland notes that “family carers face heightened risks of loneliness due to the demands of caregiving.

“These responsibilities can limit opportunities for social engagement, while the financial burdens associated with caring often render social activities unaffordable.

“The State of Caring 2024 survey showed that almost half (48%) of carers experience severe loneliness, despite most respondents living with the people they care for.

“The persistently high rates of loneliness amongst carers highlight the increasing strain on carers’ social and emotional well-being and the urgent need for targeted support and interventions to address the deepening loneliness crisis in Ireland”.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established a Commission on Social Connection (2024–2026) which aims to see the issue recognised and resourced as a global public health priority (8).

Government commitments to combat loneliness are included in the ‘Roadmap for Social Inclusion’, and the ‘Healthy Ireland Strategic Plan’.

Several political parties committed to tackle loneliness as part of their local election manifestos.