The launch of a new nationwide volunteering effort is a call to action for communities all over Ireland, according to Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney.
The Community Call is a major initiative to co-ordinate community activity, direct community assistance to where it is needed and to harness volunteering energy around the country in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Minister Canney said: “This is what I call the big meitheal – people coming together to help each other and in particular their older and more vulnerable neighbours.
“It’s what we do best in Ireland and it is right the Government is offering support in this way.
“We have an unprecedented mobilisation of volunteers to make sure everyone is looked after.
“The Community Call should offer reassurance to older and more vulnerable people because it is imperative that they are supported by people they can trust.
“Equally they must be on their guard against anyone unauthorised calling to their homes offering help.”
Each local authority has community response helplines.
The numbers for Galway County Council are 1800 928894 and 091 509390.

EDITORS NOTE
At national level, the Community Call will be overseen by a group from the Department of The Taoiseach, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Health, and the County and City Management Association.

The Community Call will be overseen and managed locally by our Local Authorities, led by the county Chief Executives. The CEOs, the most senior public official in every county, have been tasked with making this work, and are leading a dedicated community Forum in each county to coordinate and connect the wide range of services and supports that area available. The forum involves an extensive list of state and voluntary organisations. A dedicated phone line is now operational in every county and the national number 0818 222 024 is also now in operation.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
April 2 2020