Some older people in rural areas feel 'cut off' - CSP hears

Lack of public transport is a huge issue in some rural areas of County Monaghan, the April meeting of the Local Community Safety Partnership was told.

The comment was made by the Monaghan Co-ordinator of the Healthy Active Friendly Homes Programme, Elizabeth Doherty Mooney.

LCSP vice-chairperson, Cllr Sinéad Flynn (SF), asked about the biggest challenges facing rural people in the county accessing supports. In response, Ms Doherty Mooney referenced connectivity issues and accessibility in areas that have no footpaths. She said that some people on rural lanes can find themselves effectively cut off.

The programme co-ordinator also expressed worry about the low number of house alarms in rural homes she visited.

In a presentation, Ms Doherty Mooney said the programme she co-ordinates is a collaboration between the Departments of Health, Housing and Local Government and is operated by the county council. She noted that the 2022 Census showed a 21% increase in the number of people, aged 65 and over, resident in the county.

“The aim of the programme is to enable people to continue living in their home or in a home more suitable to their needs,” she stated.

The service is free and not means tested and people don’t lose any entitlements by availing of it but they must be over 65.

Referrals to the programme come from a variety of sources and agencies with the consent of the participants and individuals can self refer.

After a referral, Ms Doherty Mooney visits the individual and offers help and advice on housing grants, health issues, access to community and social organisations, financial entitlements, and energy and warmer home initiatives.

The co-ordinator said she made 124 initial and 117 follow-up visits in 2025. Of those, 75 people self-referred, 32 were referred by external agencies and the remaining referrals came from family or friends. No "cold calling" is permitted without at least verbal consent.

Cllr Flynn referred to concern at council level about the suspension until next year of Housing Adaptation Grants that fund home modifications for older people. The funding is not going far enough, she said, and the budget for the grants this year is already spent.

Ms Doherty Mooney said her organisation did not have a budget. “We are the glue binding the whole thing together,” she described.

She added that she can help people prepare for when the grants reopen. There are also SEAI grants to improve home energy efficiency but not everyone can avail of these due to their finances.

The co-ordinator said she also engages with the social housing section of the local authority and helps people make applications.

Zoe Wells, co-ordinator of the Cavan and Monaghan Drug and Alcohol Services, asked Ms Doherty Mooney if she encountered alcohol problems that can arise within the age cohort she engages.

She replied that these issues can arise if an individual opens up about them. Then she can ask them if they are interested in supports and give them the relevant information.

“It is very important our older generation is taken care of and minded as they minded us,” stated Cllr Noel Keelan (SF).

He said a whole cohort of older people are cut off from some transport services because bookings have gone online. And some people are afraid to book online because of the risk of fraud.

“We have a strong social inclusion ethos in Monaghan County Council but I believe many people are experiencing social exclusion,” he added.

The SF councillor also raised the issue of people in rented accommodation whose income dropped when they reached pension age and who find themselves “off a cliff and in fear because they can’t pay rent".

Regarding IT literacy, Ms Doherty Mooney said that she often refers people to the supports in smartphone and computer literacy available through the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board and the county’s library network.

Lorraine Cunningham, joint chairperson of the Monaghan Older Persons Council, said her experience of the Healthy Active Friendly Homes Programme has been very positive. She knows people who have availed of the service and find it excellent.