19/01/2012

Senator Calls For Caring Transport

A Labour has called for Ireland's public transport to consider older and rural communities in its planning.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe's private member's motion on rural transport for elderly people was passed yesterday in Seanad Éireann providing for "integrated rural transport system model to take account of the specific needs of rural communities".

Citing CARDI, Centre for Ageing Research and Development, Transport and Rural Ageing Report in 2010, O'Keeffe said 37% of older people living in rural areas had a need for transport that is not being met by public or private means.

"Transport must be a part of the care package for older people- keeping them mobile, engaged and connected with society and with their communities," the Senator said.

"In the Sligo Leitrim area the Leitrim Development Company, CLASP and the County Sligo Leader Partnership project serve the community well, however more must be done by central government to ensure older people are not isolated from their communities."

The Senator added that we had a moral duty to take care of older people and respect the human rights of older people.

"What better way to take care of them than to ensure that their isolation is reduced."

(DW)

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