Age Action has described a decision by government to cut the funding for panic alarms in the homes of elderly people as "crazy".

The government has reduced the funding for personal security alarms from €2.45 million to €1.15 million.

Age Action says the alarms allow elderly people to continue to live independently and any reduction will cost more in the long-term.

'Further barriers' for older people

The organisation says the reduction in funding for 2013 will have a considerable impact on the operation of the scheme.

It is questioning why the government is restricting eligibility to people aged over-65 who live alone.

It adds that older people could need a pendant alarm if they live with another frail or vulnerable person.

It says that by placing these new conditions on the scheme the government is merely introducing further barriers to prevent older people receiving an alarm.

Head of Advocacy with Age Action is Eamon Timmins.

He says this latest cut has left elderly people concerned about their safety.

He told Breakfast here on Newstalk that it also comes on foot of the government decision to close a number of Garda stations and reduce the number of Community Officers.