There have been calls locally for the Covid-19 hardship fund for elderly people to be re-established.
The scheme was initially launched during the pandemic to offer up to €500 to an older person in order to help them during lockdown.
However, the government had only budgeted for €103,000 and after 21,000 applications had to close it earlier than the original date of August 31st.
Sinn Féin Councillor, Pat Treanor, has called on the new government to re-establish a once-off grant, in cooperation with Age Action Ireland and the Irish Red Cross, to assist these vulnerable elderly people.
He says that the volume of applicants shows the dire need for supports for the elderly.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound he said he wants to see more done by the new Minister for those in need of help:
