A documentary broadcast on RTÉ this week revealed serious issues at a number of nursing homes.

Alone said there had been a 40% increase in the number of older people with housing difficulties last year.

A report published on Thursday found that one-quarter of older tenants expects to stay within the private rental sector.

Consultant geriatrician Dr Colm Byrne said he has come across 'some very sad cases'

Aine Brady, CEO of Third Age, the not for profit organisation running the SeniorLine said that their traditional caller can be lonely and isolated.