AQW 49043/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 23/09/2015
Answered On Date: 06/10/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) for her assessment of the effectiveness of the Contacting Elderly Rural Isolated pilot scheme in enhancing independent living and addressing social isolation for older people; (ii) whether it is on course to meet its targets; and (iii) whether funding will be made available for this scheme post 2016.

Answer:

The Connecting Elderly Rural Isolated (CERI) scheme continues to be an effective mechanism to alleviate social isolation among vulnerable elderly people. CERI remains on course to meet its target of 102,000 contacts by March 2016. The decision on funding a future Scheme using the CERI model will be informed following an evaluation of the current arrangements. This evaluation will be undertaken during 2016 and led by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.