Cuts to services, loneliness, fear of crime, and losing loved ones to emigration has led to a huge surge in calls to a helpline for the elderly.

In March of last year, prior to taking on the role of European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly spoke movingly of the plight of many older people, particularly those who ceased to engage with the world around them.

Ireland is no country for old men and women, suggests a survey in which 33% of people said they believe the elderly are regarded as a burden on society.

When the investigation into the death of Hannah Comber at a north Cork hospital got under way seven years ago, the HSE promised to publish its findings “in the interests of her family, public confidence in their services, as well as openness and transparency”.

A BRAVE young student who was rushed to hospital after becoming ill during the night still managed to sit his Leaving Cert exams from his hospital bed.

GREATEST misnomer of the election was of any outright winner.

There are 70 seats filled so far.

Independent Catherine Murphy and Fine Gael's Anthony Lawlor have been elected on the last count in Kildare North.

According to final tallies in Kildare North, no candidate will be deemed elected on the first count.

The new leader of Fianna Fáil will be voted in today in a secret ballot. Seventy-two TDs will vote after the re-admission of Jimmy Devins last night.

The four contenders for the leadership of Fianna Fáil will put their cases for support today.

MICHEÁL MARTIN remains the front-runner to be the next Fianna Fáil leader, with the number of TDs publicly declaring they will support him in tomorrow’s vote now in excess of 20.

YOUR report on the home “care” of the elderly scandal suggests that there is really no end to the horror stories that are lurking awaiting disclosure, the outfall of an inept government driven only by concern for money, either the making or saving of it.

THIS week’s Prime Time programme exposing how elderly people are abused and humiliated when they receive home care (or not) from private companies, paid by the Irish taxpayer via the HSE, illustrates what happens when policies are driven by a right-wing ideology instead of the interests of people needing care.

EVER notice how history has a habit of repeating itself? If it does, then Minister for Older People Aine Brady may need to start watching her back.

Minister for Older People Aine Brady has said that the abuse and neglect of older people uncovered in last night's 'Prime Time' programme is totally unacceptable, very upsetting and most disappointing.

ALMOST a year after disputing a report of “large scale inefficiencies and a complete absence of regulation” in home care for the elderly, the HSE is finally to begin a review into the standard of care being provided to 65,000 people looked after in their own homes.

THE majority of the Dáil believes Taoiseach Brian Cowen should call a general election before the December budget.

TIPPERARY woman Anne McGrath was named the national Carer of the Year in a ceremony that blew away the gloom of recession, at least for a while.

More than 10,000 older people have been abused or neglected in their own homes, new research has revealed.

MORE than 10,000 older people have been abused or neglected in their own homes, shocking research has found.

IN his column on the Department of Health and Children (July 6), Fergus Finlay knocks great fun out of questioning the role and function of the department and its ministers.

CUTS to health and social services and talk of means- testing the state pension are causing great anxiety for many older people, a leading charity has warned.

SPECIAL “donor coordinators” charged with speaking with relatives of possible organ donors who have died should be introduced, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) said yesterday at the launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week.

ONE in three shops and pubs are still selling cigarettes to minors, a study has revealed.

The Government was today warned to protect the old-age pension in the budget or face the wrath of angry senior citizens.

New mothers born outside Ireland are more likely to breastfeed their babies than Irish women, it emerged today.

THE quality of care for older people is suffering because of the lack of support for foreign nationals who now account for one third of all workers who help the elderly.

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has insisted that opposition to the introduction of third-level tuition fees by Green Party TDs and independents who support the Government is not a setback to his plans for a graduate loans system.

REBEL pharmacists were warned last night they faced legal action for breaching their state contract to dispense drugs to the public.

A NUMBER of outdoor advertising companies have been rapped on the knuckles for allowing alcohol ads to be displayed too close to schools.

THE Government has been accused of dragging its heels in implementing measures to protect vulnerable older people from abuse.

A conference taking place in Dublin today to highlight the problem of elder abuse has heard cricitism of the Government for failing to implement measures to protect vulnerable older people.

A DRAFT report into the death of a 75-year-old patient at a north Cork hospital has been completed by an independent investigation team.

FINE GAEL TD Bernard Allen launched a blistering attack last night on the consultants who recommended downgrading a number of hospitals in Cork and Kerry.

INJURY is the leading cause of death in Ireland among children and teens, and road traffic accidents take the greatest toll, according to a report on child safety.

The Taoiseach is dropping seven TDs from the junior ministerial ranks, it was confirmed this afternoon, as the new line-up of 15 Ministers of State appeared for an official photocall at Leinster House.

ALMOST one-in-five of Government TDs who voted for massive education cutbacks this week are serving or former teachers.

MORE than €700,000 in political donations was accepted by TDs last year, it was revealed yesterday.

Bertie Ahern appeared to be on course for a third term as Taoiseach this afternoon.

Ministers Willie O'Dea and Mary Hanafin became the latest high-profile Fianna Fáil candidates to be re-elected to the Dáil this afternoon as they were returned in Limerick East and Meath West respectively.

The Kildare North constituency has elected Fianna Fáil's Aine Brady after the first count.

Fianna Fáil candidates are dominating the early election tallies in constituencies across the country.