Sir, - I refer to a letter published in your paper on May 14th '97 under the heading "Neglecting the Elderly" referring to senior citizens living in St Helena's Court, Finglas.
Dublin Corporation provide a Community Warden Service to 54 Senior Citizen Complexes in Dublin City, one of which is St Helena's Court, Finglas. The Community Warden calls to each complex on a daily basis Monday to Friday. They promote and assist in the improvement of the quality of life of the Senior Citizens, they liaise and co-operate with the Corporation staffs voluntary committees and voluntary workers, the staff of other statutory services such as home helps, home nursery and medical personnel and relatives of the residents. Each individual flat is also linked on a 24 hour, 365 day a year basis to the Central Alarm Service which enables residents to make contact in case of emergency.
Contrary to the impression conveyed in your published letter, every effort is made by Dublin Corporation to improve the level of service available to the citizens of Dublin and in particular to our senior citizens. The City Manager, John Fitzgerald, replied at length by personal letter on May 6th 1997, to representations on behalf of St Helena's Voluntary Committee to the points raised by your correspondent. The matter was also raised at the City Council Meeting of April 8th 1997, and the City Manager has asked the Community Section and the Local Inspector to ensure that a full service is provided at St Helena's Court, and to respond, where possible, to the legitimate concerns of residents in the area. - Yours, etc.,
Acting Assistant City Manager, Dublin Corporation, Civic Offices, Fishamble Street.