The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
EVIDENCE of social deprivation and isolation in North Clare has been illustrated in a recent pre-feasibility study, commissioned by Clare County Council, into the possible provision of stepped accommodation and associated services at the Stella Maris Centre in Lisdoonvarna. According to a copy of a draft report completed by social research consultant, Neil Haren, data from the 2016 Census provides considerable evidence of both deprivation and social isolation among older people in single and two person households in North Clare. There was a particularly high proportion of older people aged in excess of 75 years, which is half of persons in single person households. The study found 11 percent of those aged 65 and older and living alone in North Clare had no formal education. This applied to 6% of individuals aged 65 and older, and living in two person households. In contrast, the rate of individuals aged 15 years and above in North Clare without formal education was 1.6%. …
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