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Laois Community Forum Receives In Excess Of 500 Calls

Wednesday, 3 June 2020 06:52

It's been operating for two full months.

The Laois Community response forum has received over 500 calls since the end of March.

18 organisations are involved in the response to Covid-19 in the county.

Calls to the helpline have peaked at around 70 per week between it's inception on March 31st and the 21st of May.

That puts the total number of calls at 525, although a reduction in calls has been noted in the last fortnight.

In a report to Laois County Council, it was noted that recent concerns included an increase in use of illegal substances in the absence of organised sport; unhappiness and loneliness amongst the elderly; and an increase in domestic abuse.

The document also acknowledges the demand for testing at both the O'Moore Park facility and at St. Fintans remains low.

The hotline remains open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

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