Gas Networks Ireland donates van to help the elderly of Cork
Gas Networks Ireland, guardians of Ireland’s natural gas infrastructure, donated a van to Age Action Ireland to help with their ‘Care and Repair’ programme in Cork. The van will be the dedicated transport for volunteers carrying out small repair jobs in the homes of older people in Cork.
John O’Mahony, Age Action’s Care and Repair National Development Manager: “As we grow older, basic household tasks can become very difficult to manage. Small jobs like changing a lightbulb, putting up a shelf or assembling flat pack furniture can become a major problem for someone suffering from illness, limited dexterity or reduced mobility.”
“We are very grateful to Gas Networks Ireland to receive this van which will help us to reach more people than before and make a real difference in Cork.”
Age Action Ireland’s Care and Repair programme is delivered by volunteers who carry out DIY work in the homes of older people. In 2018 volunteers carried out 9,456 ‘Care and Repair’ jobs across Ireland.
This donation is part of Gas Networks Ireland’s corporate responsibility strategy, where the organisation aims to deliver their services in a sustainable manner that contributes to the protection of the environment while supporting the social and economic development of their communities.
Gas Networks Ireland recently published its first sustainability report which highlights its progress in implementing the principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals across the business. “Sustainability in Action” has three pillars of sustainability – environmental impact, social impact and economic impact.
Since the start of the year, Gas Networks Ireland has donated €2 to Age Action Ireland’s ‘Care and Repair’ programme for every customer experience survey completed.
In 2017 Gas Networks Ireland donated €50,000 worth of carbon monoxide alarms to Age Action Ireland. The alarms were installed in the homes of vulnerable older people across the country.
Marie Lyster, Customer Experience Manager, Gas Networks Ireland: “We are delighted to partner with Age Action as our beneficiary charity this year. Taking care of the elderly is very important to us at Gas Networks Ireland, as we are committed to providing the best customer service possible for all our customers, and in particular, we make specific provisions for vulnerable customers.”
“We admire the work that Age Action Ireland does and hope that our contributions will help reach increased numbers of older people in need of support.”
For more information on registering as a vulnerable customer with Gas Networks Ireland: Customer Service Line 1800 464 464 (Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 9am – 5.30pm).
ENDS
Notes to Editor
About Gas Networks Ireland: Gas Networks Ireland is the business division of Ervia that owns, builds and maintains the natural gas network in Ireland and connects all customers to the gas network. Gas Networks Ireland operates one of the most modern and safe gas networks in the world and ensures that over 700,000 homes and businesses receive a safe, efficient and secure supply of natural gas, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Ervia is a commercial semi-state multi-utility company with responsibility for the delivery of gas and water infrastructure and services in Ireland.
Gas Networks Ireland 2018 Sustainability Report
The full report, “Sustainability in Action”, can be found at:
https://www.gasnetworks.ie/corporate/company/our-commitment/sustainability-report/
Gas Networks Ireland 2018 Sustainability Highlights
- First sustainability report published
- 94 % recycling rate
- 42% improvement in energy performance from 2006 baseline exceeding Public Service Energy Monitoring and Reporting Target
- Signed up to the Low Carbon Pledge
- 1 in 3 employees volunteer on our community programmes
- 68 community initiatives supported
- Business Supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and implementation of the Biodiversity Enhancement Programme
- Establishment of Energy Environmental Working Group to support an integrated and strategic approach across Gas Networks Ireland
- Roll out of Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and infrastructure
- Secured funding for GRAZE Gas renewable gas test site and advanced deployment of Renewable Gas for 2019 delivery
- Continuous awareness and training initiatives
About Age Action
Age Action is Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people. Age Action works to ensure that older people’s voices are heard at the highest level of Government and that the lived experience of older people informs policy responses to their needs.
Age Action supports and advocates for equality and human rights for all older people. Everything we do is based on a recognition of the diversity of identity and situation among older people and a concern for equality for all older people. In addressing ageing, our work includes a concern to influence perspectives on and responses to ageing. This pursuit of equality and human rights is underpinned by our work to promote ageing in place, life‐long learning, and health and wellbeing for older people, empowering them to live as active citizens.
Our work is driven by an organisation that is professional in its operations and lives out its values of dignity, participation, diversity, social justice, and professionalism.
About Age Action’s ‘Care and Repair’ Programme
Age Action’s Care & Repair programme is a service that helps to keep people living in their own homes in increased safety and comfort. As we grow older, basic household tasks can become very difficult to manage. Those small jobs like changing a lightbulb, putting up a shelf or the dreaded assembling of flat pack furniture become a major problem for someone suffering from illness, limited dexterity or reduced mobility. For those older people who are in the unfortunate position of not having family members calling, these tasks can become a source of great frustration. Ultimately these problems can make the difference between staying at home and moving to residential care.
The Care and Repair programme is delivered by trustworthy volunteers who carry out small DIY jobs free of charge for older people. Jobs that the Care and Repair programme can do include fixing shelves, changing locks, painting/ decorating, moving furniture, gardening. In 2018 volunteers carried out 9,456 Care and Repair jobs in the homes of older people.