Two County Clare voluntary organisations have received funding allocations under the Government’s Scheme of Community Support for Older People.The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs announced this week that it has allocated EUR7,835 and EUR695 to Kilmihil Community Development and Shannonside Carers Group respectively. The current round of funding follows less than a month after the Kilkee-based Shannonside Carers Group received an allocation, along with Inagh Development Ltd and Kilmaley District Daycare Centre.
“During the last twelve months numerous other local groups have benefited from funding under the under the scheme of Community Supports for Older People, including Ballynacally Community Alert, Meelick Parteen Coonagh Senior Citizens, Caring for Carers Clare, Kilrush Family Resource Centre Ltd and Cratloe Community Council,” stated Minister Killeen. He explained that the scheme provided funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of older individuals by means of a community-based grant scheme. “The security devices that each of these three organisations can now benefit from under this scheme include smoke alarms, the once off cost of installing socially monitored alarm systems, security lighting, and window locks, door locks and door chains designed to strengthen points of entry to dwellings”: added Minister Killeen.
The Scheme of Community Support for Older People is open throughout the year and applications can be made for funding as the need arises. In the region of EUR3.5m million has been provided to date in 2008 for locally based organisations working with or providing support to vulnerable older people in their communities.
