The Irish government has allocated €500k to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Western Area to carry out essential repairs on homes occupied by elderly persons living on their own.

This latest allocation brings the amount provided to HSE West under the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Scheme this year to €5.5 million.

This funding has enabled work to the homes of thousands of applicants.

Clare TD Tony Killeen said this week's funding announcement was the largest under the scheme’s Second Round Allocation.

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Elsewhere, €400k was allocated to HSE Dublin/North East, HSE Dublin/Mid Leinster and HSE Southern.

"I was delighted to receive confirmation of the allocation from Housing Minister Michael Finneran.

"The funding under the scheme allows for work to be carried out in homes at a minimal cost to the State, allowing older people to live in their own homes for longer, which is what this government wants to encourage as much as possible," said Mr Killeen.

Since the introduction of the scheme in 1982 over 80,000 households have had repairs carried out to their homes.

Over the last 10 years the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has provided almost €154m for the continued operation of the scheme.

Mr Killeen added: "In 2007 the total allocated to this scheme amounted to over €19.1m with close to 6,700 households assisted. By continuing to operate the scheme in its current format, for a further period of time, we will safeguard the needs of this vulnerable group."

(PR)