Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen has confirmed that almost EUR4,500 has been allocated to three North Clare organisations under the Community Support for Older People Scheme.The Scheme which is funded and administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was suspended in April this year with a view to affording the Department the opportunity to review the Scheme’s operation and to consult with interested parties. The funding being received this week by Lisdoonvarna / Doolin Community Alert (EUR1,546), Kilnaboy Community Development Association (EUR985) and Liscannor Community Alert (EUR1,900) relates to applications made prior to the suspension of the Scheme six months ago.
Commenting on the funding announcement, Minister of State Killeen said he was very aware of the hardships that older people face on a daily basis. He continued, “I welcome any initiatives that seek to improve confidence, security and comfort levels among older people in our society allowing them to continue to live independently. The security devices that older people in Liscannor, Doolin, Kilnaboy and Lisdoonvarna may 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.”
Minister of State Killeen said he warmly welcomed a recent commitment made by John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to reopen the scheme. The Junior Minister noted that the Scheme had provided significant funds to community and voluntary organisations in every part of County Clare. “In the four months up until the commencement of the review process in April, funds were allocated to a range of organisations including Caring for Carers Clare, Tulla Senior Citizen Security Section, Ibrickane Network, Newmarket-on-Fergus Senior Citizens and Ballyvaughan Community Alert”, he concluded.
62,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Community Support for Older People Scheme since it was taken over in 2002 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht. The full list of beneficiaries is available on the Department’s website at www.pobail.ie.
