Older people in County Clare are to benefit from increased home security systems, following the allocation of more than €21k funding to community organisations in the area.

The Irish Communities Minister made the announcement as part of the government's Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

The two local voluntary groups that received the funding are Kilrush Family Resource Centre Ltd and Cratloe Community.

They will each get a slice of the €21,380 put into the pot for measures including emergency lighting and security locks.

Clare TD Tony Killeen welcomed the funding.

He said: "The security devices that Kilrush Family Resource Centre Ltd and Cratloe Community Council can now benefit from under this scheme include the once-off cost of installing socially monitored alarm systems, smoke alarms, security lighting, door chains designed to strengthen points of entry to dwellings, and window and door locks.

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"Interior emergency lighting is also available to qualifying older people living on our off shore islands."

Mr Killeen said the scheme provided funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of older individuals by means of a community-based grant scheme.

"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, Kilmaley District Day Care Centre and the Shannonside Carers Group," added the TD.

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.

So far this year €2.7 million has been provided for locally based organisations working with or providing support to vulnerable older people throughout the country.

(PR/JM)