Kilkenny elderly group receives funding to expand services
A Kilkenny group, which provides support to the elderly who wish to remain living within the community, has just received funding to expand their services.
Newpark Close Community Development is to receive €30,380 from the Department of Mental Health and Older People to continue providing essential services that allow some of Kilkenny’s elderly to remain in the homes and their communities.
Kilkenny’s Minister, John Paul Phelan announced the funding, which he said is in line with the Government’s vision for Sláintecare, promoting positive health and wellness for the elderly in the community.
Minister Phelan said: “I’m delighted that a total of €30,380 is being invested in services offered through Newpark Close Community Development. A grant of €21,440.80 will be made available to the centre for 2020, on top of the €8,935.33 earmarked for the service throughout 2019.
“This grant scheme recognises the valuable services that community and voluntary agencies here in Kilkenny provide to support older people to continue living in their communities and maintain their social connections.
“They contribute significantly to positive aging and better overall health for the older population in the city and the surrounding hinterland. It’s not enough to simply applaud the valuable service provided by community and voluntary agencies; that is why I was delighted to confirm these supports, to expand and develop their existing services.
“Improving and developing community supports is in line with the vision outlined in Sláintecare, which supports a shift in our delivery of care to a model that will focus on prevention and early intervention, and that will provide most of the care in the community.”
