Let there be light! Calls for grant scheme to assist elderly in 'unlit' areas of Limerick

CALLS have been made for for a new grant scheme to be put in place to assist elderly people who are living in unlit areas of County Limerick.

A formal motion was submitted by Abbeyfeale councillor Liam Galvin at the most-recent meeting of Limerick City and County Council.

The former Mayor believes it would not cost a lot of money to implement such a grant scheme. “It will give [people] security, particularly those living alone,” Mr Galvin said.

He added it would assist the elderly in the unlit rural areas greatly when they get home in the evening winter months, when it gets dark early, and it will help them when rooting through their bags trying to find their keys.

It was also suggested that it would be a welcome security measure to have a light on in the house when the residents are away as the “greatest deterrent to crime is light”.

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Mr Galvin also stated that before the cost of living crisis, people could afford to leave their exterior lights on for when they came home but with current electricity costs, people are finding any way they can to cut down their electricity usage.

The motion was seconded by Cllr John Sheahan and received support from Cllr Kevin Sheahan who said there is an “awful lot of common sense” behind the motion.

“It wouldn’t be out of place for us to give the people of rural Ireland some bit of peace like those in the cities or towns are used to and that’s light,” he said

“I would like to see a scheme, we need to discuss this now probably a bit and Mr Galvin has opened the door for a serious discussion on this.”

Cllr Sheahan urged the council to establish what the cost of any scheme would be and what percentage the council could provide those in rural Limerick for the provision of security lighting.