Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 8

Written Answers. - Protection of Elderly.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

149 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, taken by her Department to ensure the safety of elderly people in their homes; the future proposals, if any, she has to provide support for the gardaí and community groups to protect such people from fear and violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17720/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I would like to inform the Deputy that every member of An Garda Síochána is trained to protect life and property, to safeguard the liberties of the individual citizen, to preserve the public peace, to prevent crime and to seek, identify and eliminate the causes of crime.

Every garda, in the course of his or her duty, recognises that elderly people may feel particularly vulnerable and may suffer greatly from the fear of becoming a victim of crime. With this recognition in mind, the Garda authorities have assured me that the gardaí pay particular attention to the elderly in all aspects of their duties. There are a number of community relations schemes in existence which are aimed at those who are especially vulnerable in our community to ensure their safety.

The neighbourhood watch scheme now covers 326,769 homes through 1,946 schemes nation-wide. This scheme has proved a great beneift to the elderly in that not only does it prevent crime but it has reduced the fear of crime in their neighbourhoods. As part of the scheme Liaison members and civilian co-ordinators regularly visit the homes of the elderly and ensure that they do not feel isolated

Another scheme which is community based is the community alert scheme which was established in 1985. There are at present 799 schemes covering 155,464 homes. This scheme was originally started as a programme to counteract attacks on the elderly and to encourage a sense of neighbourliness in the community. I am informed by the Garda authorities that this scheme, with its strong emphasis on the welfare of the elderly, has proved very successful in reducing attacks on the elderly — in 1985 there were 177 reported attacks on the elderly while the 1994 figure had dropped to 69 attacks. Visitors in the Community Alert areas regularly call on the elderly residents to give security advice and reassurance. I recently launched a new video and literature funded by the PMPA and these will help to ensure that our senior citizens, and indeed those providing help to them, have accurate and up to date advice.

Within the present policing arrangements there are gardaí and sergeants who are employed on community relations duties and part of their brief includes liaising with senior citizens groups. They are involved in holding security information days, arranging for door locks to be fitted as necessary, and especially for informal calls to individual people in their homes so helping to reduce the fear of crime.

The Garda authorities are also in liaison with other statutory bodies such as the Department of Health, Eastern Health Board and with Dublin Corporation in promoting the "Reach Out" campaign. This is a public information campaign designed to make the public more aware of their old and reclusive neighbours who live alone and who may be at risk, and to encourage members of the public to help where possible. Neighbourhood gardaí in Dublin arrange for the distribution of posters and literature within their area of work and this acts as a catalyst for their involvement with old folk groups.

Earlier this year the senior citizens advice leaflet was re-issued by the community relations section of the Garda. It contains detailed information on cash security, care of property, callers to the door and house security. Garda community relations and crime prevention officers regularly offer advice to the public on the many methods and products available which can be utilised to make prospective criminal targets less vulnerable. Through the compilation of security surveys on houses, apartments, factories, shops and offices, the Garda authorities try to ensure that the best possible practice in crrme prevention techniques is adopted.

The Garda authorities have informed me that all of the policing programmes within the community relations field are under continual review and are modified and updated as necessary to meet the changing need of our society.