To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the Contacting Elderly Rural Isolated pilot project in the Western Health and Social Care Trust area; and whether she will consider rolling out a similar project to reduce social isolation for vulnerable older people in rural areas of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

The Connecting Elderly Rural Isolated (CERI) pilot project is proving to be an effective mechanism to alleviate social isolation among vulnerable elderly people living in rural areas of the Western Health and Social Care Trust area. 1,927 isolated elderly rural people have directly benefitted from CERI since commencement in January 2012. Following completion of the CERI pilot, an evaluation will be undertaken which will inform potential future mainstreaming of the Flexicare/CERI initiative. This approach has been endorsed by the Health and Social Care Board and would involve other HSC Trusts.