Number of local volunteers who answered country’s call since crisis hit revealed

Just under 400 people from Kilkenny and Carlow signed up to volunteer on the Government’s I-VOL app in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Figures provided by local Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan show 189 people volunteered via the app in Kilkenny, with a further 200 answering the country’s call since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Deputy Phelan praised the fantastic support of local volunteers in response to the crisis.

The Kilkenny TD said: “Volunteers in our counties have been directly linked by the local Volunteer Centre(s) to local organisations responding to Covid-19, conducting a wide range of very important work – from delivering food and medicines to older people who are self-isolating, to volunteering in Covid test centres.

“There are also many more volunteers on the ground, helping out family, friends and neighbours. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable work being carried out by volunteers in both Kilkenny and Carlow during the Covid-19 emergency.

“The response to the Covid crisis shows once again what a fantastic resource we have in our volunteers and the wonderful community spirit that prevails here in Carlow and Kilkenny even during these challenging times.”

Deputy Phelan added: “We have always depended greatly on the cohort of volunteers that give so generously of their time and energy year in year out.

“Unfortunately, many of our volunteers are older people who have been confined to their homes as a result of the COVID 19 crisis.

“Back in March as the crisis was emerging, we called on people to help meet the significant needs at community level and the response has been magnificent.”