Senator calls for a minister with responsibility for 'epidemic' of loneliness

There are calls for a ministerial post to be created to tackle the "epidemic" of loneliness.

Senator Keith Swanick, who was one of the authors of a report on the issue, wants the Government to do more to tackle it.

File photo.

The main findings of the report, which include five key recommendations, will be debated in the Seanad later today.

Dr Swanick says a national conversation about the issue of loneliness needs to take place.

He said: "I think we need accountability, we need funding for NGOs and for volunteer groups, we need more research.

Tomorrow at 4.30 we will debate the @LonelinessTask1 Report in Seanad Éireann

We are calling for:

1. €3million for initiatives, research and awareness

2. A National Campaign

3. A Minister with responsibility for #Loneliness #banishthetaboo pic.twitter.com/NNWLQAnuly

— Keith Swanick (@DrKeithSwanick) February 12, 2019

"We really need a big public awareness campaign to get people talking about it, it's a real problem, it leads to physical and mental health issues and it's not going to go away unless we do something about it.