Co. Clare, Ireland — 20 Nov. 2009 — Minister of State Tony Killeen has welcomed the allocation of funding totalling 5,686 euro to Caring for Carers West Clare, under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

This Scheme of Community Support for Older People encourages and assists the community’s support for older people by means of community-based grants to improve the safety and security of its older members. The Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance.

Funding is available towards the cost of installing monitored personal alarm systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, external security lighting and other ancillary items of physical security equipment.

Commenting on the funding announcement, Minister of State Killeen: “I wish to acknowledge the invaluable work carried out by Caring for Carers West Clare and other local organisations in the operation of the Scheme, where the whole ethos is centred on continued local involvement with older people within our communities. I am confident the equipment that will be made available by the latest funding announcement will bring safety and peace of mind to many older people in the West Clare area.”

The Clare T.D. 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 during the last 12 months.

Since late 2008, funds have been allocated to a range of Clare-based 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.

Nationally, 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.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- High-resolution images of Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD for Clare, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine, may be downloaded from www.dunphyprimages.com
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR at media@dunphypr.com or 086-8534900