Motion

Loneliness Strategy (Revised Wording)

Motion TitleLoneliness Strategy (Revised Wording)

Motion TextThat this Assembly notes the high prevalence of loneliness in Northern Ireland with almost one in five people feeling lonely at least some of the time and one in twenty identified as chronically lonely; further notes the severe social and economic impact of chronic loneliness, including on people’s physical and mental health, such as increased risks of developing heart disease and depression; recognises the urgent need to address loneliness among people of all ages and backgrounds; calls on the Executive to support the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy to tackle this issue on a long-term basis; and further calls on the Executive Office to lead on the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office16/04/2024

Date Selected By Committee16/04/2024

Date of Plenary Debate29/04/2024

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Robbie Butler	MLA - Lagan Valley
Mr John Stewart	MLA - East Antrim
Mr Doug Beattie MC	MLA - Upper Bann
Ms Claire Sugden	MLA - East Londonderry

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

No amendments tabled were selected for this motion.

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
29/04/2024	Leave out all after ‘ages and backgrounds;’ and insert: ‘agrees that the underfunding of communal spaces such as our public libraries, limits the opportunity for people to socialise and can compound their loneliness; further recognises that the underfunding of youth clubs and associated services has a knock-on impact on young people’s mental health and can lead to loneliness for many; further agrees that proposals by the Department for Infrastructure to cut to the Concessionary Fares Scheme will increase social isolation for over-60s; calls on the Executive to properly fund the aforementioned services and to support the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy to tackle this issue on a long-term basis; and further calls on the Executive Office to lead on the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy.’

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

29/04/2024

Leave out all after ‘ages and backgrounds;’ and insert: ‘agrees that the underfunding of communal spaces such as our public libraries, limits the opportunity for people to socialise and can compound their loneliness; further recognises that the underfunding of youth clubs and associated services has a knock-on impact on young people’s mental health and can lead to loneliness for many; further agrees that proposals by the Department for Infrastructure to cut to the Concessionary Fares Scheme will increase social isolation for over-60s; calls on the Executive to properly fund the aforementioned services and to support the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy to tackle this issue on a long-term basis; and further calls on the Executive Office to lead on the development of a cross-departmental loneliness strategy.’

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Motion

Loneliness Strategy (Revised Wording)

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