This article is from page 20 of the 2012-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A GROUP of students will present plans to make Ennis the age friendly capital of Ireland to members of the Government tomorrow.
It is anticipated that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be among the audience in Leinster House when transition year students from Colaiste Muire present a comprehensive report on positive ageing.
The research project has been undertaken by six students – Muireann O’Shea, Aoife Sheehan, Roisin Curran, Jenny Hansbury, Orla Bredin and Sarah O’Reilly.
They have proposed a number of safety measures to promote Ennis as an ‘Age Friendly Town’.
A survey conducted among elderly people about road safety found that 100 per cent would like to see new signs around Ennis to warn drivers about the elderly.
The research, which is ongoing, also found that 85 per cent of elderly people feel unsafe crossing the road in Ennis, while 85 per cent believe that Ennis does not have adequate signage to warn motorists to slow down.
The project identifies six “hotspots” where extra signs could be added in Ennis, cautioning motorists to be aware of elderly pedestrians
The students have now been invited to present in Leinster House on Wednesday, February 8, by Minister Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State at the Department of Health and the Department of Justice, Equality & Defence with special responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health. Senator Mary White will also be in attendance as she has a special interest in this area.
Teacher Finola Howard explained, “Senator White has written a number of publications on ageing and ageism. She is also a patron of the All Ireland Inspirational Life Award, which is a celebration of older people who exemplify an active inspirational life. All Clare Oireachtas members will be in attendance for the presentation and it is hoped that the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, will be in a position to view their presentation. The students have also been invited to participate in a question and answer session with Sinead Shanon, Research Manager for Ageing Well Network on Wednesday afternoon.”
In addition the students are attending a launch in Dublin Castle by invitation on Thursday, February 9. President Michael D Higgins is launching the 2012 Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Ms Pa- tricia Goan, Regional Programme Manager Age Friendly Counties at The Ageing Well Network facilitated this lauch at Dublin Castle.
Ms Howard added, “This is a huge honour for the students as they will be one of the youngest to attend the launch.” This initiative is part of the Young Social Innovators Programme. YSI is Ireland’s largest social awareness and active citizenship and education programme for 15- to 18-year-old teens. Colaiste Muire have been involved with YSI over the past six years achieving the overall prize in 2008, placed second in 2004 and were overall category winners in 2010.