Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen has welcomed the decision by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to resume the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People, following a six month review.
The Scheme was suspended in April this year with a view to affording the Department the opportunity to review its operation and to consult with interested parties. Community and voluntary organisations participating in the Scheme in recent years have been notified regarding the conditions attaching to the reopening of the current Scheme.
Minister of State Killeen said he welcomed any initiatives that seek to improve confidence, security and comfort levels among older people allowing them to continue to live independently. He 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, Lisdoonvarna / Doolin Community Alert, Kilnaboy Community Development Association and Liscannor Community Alert.
According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Scheme has provided significant funds to community and voluntary organisations in every part of County Clare. I wish to acknowledge the ongoing invaluable work carried out by local organisations in promoting and fostering community activity at local level. This is especially evident in the operation of this Scheme, where the whole ethos is centred on continued local involvement with older people within our communities.”
“This Scheme assists qualifying older people, aged 65 years and over, by means of community based grants. Funding is provided towards the once-off cost of installing monitored alarm systems, security lighting, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors”, he concluded.
65,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Community Support for Older People Scheme since it was take over in 2002 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Expenditure under the Scheme has been in excess of EUR20m for the period 2002 – 2009. Some EUR1.365m has been paid to 241 groups to date in 2009.
The Scheme was suspended in April this year with a view to affording the Department the opportunity to review its operation and to consult with interested parties. Community and voluntary organisations participating in the Scheme in recent years have been notified regarding the conditions attaching to the reopening of the current Scheme.
Minister of State Killeen said he welcomed any initiatives that seek to improve confidence, security and comfort levels among older people allowing them to continue to live independently. He 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, Lisdoonvarna / Doolin Community Alert, Kilnaboy Community Development Association and Liscannor Community Alert.
According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Scheme has provided significant funds to community and voluntary organisations in every part of County Clare. I wish to acknowledge the ongoing invaluable work carried out by local organisations in promoting and fostering community activity at local level. This is especially evident in the operation of this Scheme, where the whole ethos is centred on continued local involvement with older people within our communities.”
“This Scheme assists qualifying older people, aged 65 years and over, by means of community based grants. Funding is provided towards the once-off cost of installing monitored alarm systems, security lighting, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors”, he concluded.
65,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Community Support for Older People Scheme since it was take over in 2002 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Expenditure under the Scheme has been in excess of EUR20m for the period 2002 – 2009. Some EUR1.365m has been paid to 241 groups to date in 2009.
