The Government has launched two new initiatives to make isolated, vulnerable and older people in Rural Ireland safer in their homes.
Galway East TD and Minister of State for Rural Affairs, Natural Resources and Digital Development Seán Canney has announced his Department is funding the provision of carbon monoxide alarms and a home security mobile app through the community organisation, Muintir na Tíre.
The alarms will be provided to the organisation who will install them on a voluntary basis.
Minister Canney said: “This is a pilot scheme for 2,000 homes that is being supported by €115,000 in funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is administered by my Department.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning claims an average of six lives per year. It is colourless and odourless. It is vital that people who otherwise might not be able to afford them have these alarms.
“We have also launched Muinitir na Tíre’s home security app, Cairde, which will integrate with the Community Alerts system to receive garda texts.
“The app also allows communities to communicate with each other and there is a panic button to allow people to raise the alarm with designated neighbours, relatives and friends.
“Upcoming developments for the app include doorbell cameras and Smart Technology, which will allow those with access to the app to monitor behaviour, for example if someone has not put the kettle on as usual by a certain time of the day.
“I want to thank my ministerial colleague Michael Ring TD for introducing these measures.
“They are further examples of the Government supporting Rural Ireland through a variety of funding schemes, such as the Rural Regeneration Fund, the Town and Village Scheme, CLÁR and the Local Improvement Scheme, as well as our recent commitment to bring broadband to every home in the country under the National Broadband Plan.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
May 13 2019

EDITORS NOTES
• Muintir na Tíre supports 200 Community Councils and 1,400 Community Alerts Schemes throughout Ireland.
• The new carbon monoxide initiative will complement the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme. An average of 41 people a year die in Ireland from fire, many of them in isolated rural homes.
• Application forms for the carbon monoxide alarms will be available shortly on www.muintir.ie/community-development/carbon-monoxide-alarms .
• More details about the Cairde app are available on www.cairdeapp.ie