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REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE DIRECTORY FOR THE ELDERLY

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE DIRECTORY FOR THE ELDERLY ON FRIDAY 10 JULY, 1998

I would like firstly to say how delighted I am to be with you today - and I am particularly grateful to Eddie Storey of the Southside Partnership - for inviting me to be here - and for giving me this honour of launching the new Directory for the Elderly – a directory of groups who work with and for older people in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and South County Dublin.

- A couple of months ago, I was down in Summerhill – in County Meath – to open their innovative ‘senior help line’ – a telephone help line for elderly people living in the Summerhill area. Then last week I was in Blanchardstown Public Library to launch a Cyberskills Workshop at which there were elderly people demonstrating how they had come to terms with the information age as they ‘surfed the net’ with ease and skill. This event today – the launch of the Directory – is yet another example of how the elderly are being recognised as vital members of the community – with their owns needs and requirements in terms of services and facilities.

- Since my inauguration, I have visited many communities in towns, villages and cities all over the country – and I have been struck by the way in which communities are forming partnerships and alliances to meet specific needs within their own areas. A recurring feature of my visits has been the need to address the needs of those who are affected by the changing nature of society - the change in the ‘traditional’ family structure – with a greater emphasis on independent living – with small families – and with more single parent families.

- In the case of the elderly – with greater life expectancies and improved quality of life - arising from tremendous advances in pharmacology and medical science and a far greater awareness of health and healthy lifestyles – coupled with the tendency towards smaller families and the expectation that people should preserve their independence – there is a requirement to meet their specific needs – and to ensure that they can preserve their quality of live – so that they can meet those expectations. Far too often – with the changes in family structure – and the frenetic pace of life today – people can become lonely and isolated – even in densely populated areas. That isolation can make it harder and harder for people to make contact – and to seek help or advice – with the result that what should be an enjoyable and happy phase in life, can become a nightmare.

- The Network of Older People – under the Southside Partnership – has come about as a result of the need to ensure that the needs and requirements of the elderly are properly catered for. The Network is itself a partnership or alliance of organisations and statutory bodies – and has identified all of the agencies, voluntary groups, and services that can address the needs of the elderly. The Directory being launched today is the result of that effort – and serves as a comprehensive guide to those who want to get help or advice – or just companionship – so that they can maintain their independence and lifestyle.

- I want to pay tribute to the Network for their initiative in undertaking this project – and for their success in bringing it to fruition. In the information age – as this era is now called – availability and access to information is the key to progress. Almost every day we hear of new advances in technology and communications – new approaches to information distribution – that make it easier for people to get at what they need and want. It is important for society that everybody gets that access – that nobody is left behind – and that the relationship between knowledge and power is fully exploited by all sections of society. In producing the Directory, you have made a significant contribution to the information society – and have ensured that the elderly in your area are very much alive to what is available to meet their needs.

- In the process of compiling the Directory you have embarked on an exercise that has been a learning experience for yourselves. You will have realised that there are other things that you can do by pooling resources and talents – and sharing ideas. That is the added value of networks and partnerships – and is something that you can continue to build on in the years ahead – as the advances in science and technology open up new possibilities and new opportunities for all.

- As in all partnerships – there is a tremendous amount of effort and commitment involved. I would like to commend everybody who has been associated with the project – Southside Partnership - the old folks and active retired associations – the Eastern Health Board – the County Council – the community groups – and the Association of Older People. In launching the Directory, I would also like to recommend it to everybody in the community as a very useful source of information on the range of services and facilities available to the senior members of your community.