The elderly are particularly vulnerable in the present conditions and neighbours have been asked to pay them regular visits, especially in remote rural regions.
The appeal was made by Minister of State for Health, with responsibility for Older People, Dr Tom Moffatt, who said a number of elderly people sustained broken hips and other fractures in the storms and frost.
He paid tribute to the ESB crews for restoring electricity. "I asked the ESB through the Ballina office to give priority to the elderly and they responded magnificently", he said.