NEWS emerged this week that the Government is to launch a €3 million mental health fund. The Minister of State for Mental Health Jim Daly has secured the funding, separate from the HSE’s mental health budget, for community-based projects to help combat loneliness. This was one of the recommendations of the taskforce on loneliness, chaired by Senator Dr Keith Swanick and Sean Moynihan of the Alone charity.

Community group will be able to submit applications for grants of between €5,000 and €100,000 for local projects based on mental wellbeing, and alleviating loneliness.