Peadar Clohessy
Question:9 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the scheme of grants for security of the elderly will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6053/97]
Priority Questions. - Security of the Elderly.
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the recommendations of the Special Task Force on Security for the Elderly established in 1996 was that my Department introduce a once-off £2 million grant scheme to provide grant aid to voluntary organisations in relation to security initiatives for the elderly. That recommendation was accepted.
Subsequently I established a National Advisory Committee, on which the National Council for the Elderly, the Irish Association of Victim Support, the Reach Out Campaign, Muintir na Tíre, the Irish Country Women's Association and the Garda Síochána under the Neighbourhood Watch scheme were represented, to advise on a suitable scheme that would ensure the available funds were targeted at the most vulnerable older people and the best possible value for money was achieved.
It was decided that to make funds available through voluntary organisations was the most appropriate way of ensuring the most vulnerable older people are targeted by the scheme. The Minister was aware that many voluntary organisations were already providing services such as those covered by the scheme and had developed expertise and local contacts.
Voluntary groups operate close to the ground and are aware of the greatest need in their communities. Working with the voluntary sector to deliver these funds to the most needy has the advantage that individual older people need not make an application, can have their needs met with the minimum of administration, without the need for a formal assessment of their circumstances by Departmental staff. The Minister was satisfied that this was the most appropriate way in which to structure the Department's response.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I tabled this question because recently the elderly and their families have been victims of an enormous amount of break-ins and violence. An elderly person was recently battered to death in the west. That is not good enough. While the Garda and other bodies are prompt in their attention to the elderly, a district nurse or someone in close contact with the elderly should be in a position to make a recommendation on security, whether it is the provision of a telephone or otherwise. The requests of the elderly for security provisions are not dealt with quickly enough. Thousands of elderly couples are still living in fear in rural Ireland and they have reason to do so because there is much devilment.
The concept of ensuring that the maximum possible number of persons are involved in providing this service was deemed to be a good one on the basis that it brought more people involved in voluntary or professional work into the system. Such people have regular and ongoing contact with the elderly which in turn makes their involvement more economically viable and realistic.
The Minister has been successful in ensuring that a further £2 million is made available from the current year's budget for this year's scheme and announcements on this will be made shortly. It is anticipated that the scheme will be operated on the same basis as last year, which was satisfactory.
How long does it take to process a telephone installation application made by an elderly person?
That depends on a number of factors.
They are old people, they do not understand that.
I am aware of that. It depends whether the application is made by the person or by an organisation on their behalf. Obviously, the more accurate the information in an application, the more it is possible to give a quick response. Every effort is being made at all time to ensure that there is a quick and reasonable response to applications. I compliment An Post on their assistance in this matter.