The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs announced that it has allocated EUR30,600 and EUR550 to Caring for Carers Clare and Cratloe Community Council respectively.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen said, “I am very aware of the hardships that older people can face and, therefore, welcome any initiatives that improve confidence, security and comfort levels among older people in our society allowing them to continue to live independently.”

He explained that the scheme of Community Supports for Older People 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 Caring for Carers and Cratloe Community Council 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 for Community Supports of Older People is administered by local community and voluntary groups and funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In excess of EUR1 million has been provided to date in 2008 for the Scheme.

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Founded in 2006, Dunphy Public Relations is a communications group led by Mark Dunphy from County Clare. Mr. Dunphy previously held the position of ‘Head of News and Current Affairs’ in Clare FM Radio.

Dunphy Public Relations has secured extensive local, national and international media coverage for clients including Clare County Council; Supply Network Shannon; The Atlantis Holiday Group; Shannon Town Council; Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience; Clare Museum; Digino Marketing; Renewable Energy Skillsnet; Magico.ie; Kilrush Town Council; Clonlara Wholesale; Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen; Clare County Library; and Ennis Town Council.