COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 19

QUESTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

To ask the Chief Executive to give an update on the South Dublin Community Response Forum. Can he confirm the supports offered by Community Call are on offer to those being asked to isolate or restrict their movements, and can the regional public health office be made aware that the supports under Community Call are on offer to those identified through test and trace as needing to isolate in their homes, and if he will make a statement on the matter

REPLY:

The Community Response Forum operated over a number of months last year, primarily to ensure an appropriate co-ordinated, multi-agency response to emerging demands and supports required from callers to the Community Call helpdesk.  While the Community Call helpdesk continues to operate 7 days a week, continues to be well promoted and can be contacted by calling (freephone) 1800 240519, call numbers have remained consistently low since last summer with an average of approximately 10 calls per week received and responded to as necessary.

The community response focus in this phase has been on the national "Keep Well" campaign and the promotion of activities, supports and responses under the five key themes of the campaign, namely, Minding Your Mood, Staying Active, Eating Well, Keeping in Contact and Switching Off.  The campaign aims to help everyone in Ireland to stay connected, stay active, and look after their Mental Health throughout the Covid-19 Emergency.  The ongoing campaign in South Dublin County draws together a huge range of activities that you can pursue in your home or your locality, by yourself or with family members or with friends online with further details available on www.sdcc.ie/en/keep-well-campaign/.

The enhanced and new relationships developed during the early stages of the pandemic response between statutory, community, voluntary and other organisations in the County under the South Dublin Community Response Forum have endured and continue to underpin the range of Keep Well activities as well as ensuring effective responses to Community Call queries.