Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
343
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if he will consider relaxing the living alone requirement for qualifying for the security scheme for the elderly in view of the fact there are many elderly people who might have a family member living with them who is out at work all day and the elderly person is in need of extra security; the basis for this requirement in view of the fact that it does not apply to qualification for the free schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15675/98]
The scheme of community support for older people was established in 1996 to address the security needs of vulnerable older people in the community.
Under the scheme, grants are made available to voluntary organisations such as Muintir na Tíre, Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch, which have undertaken to identify the older people in the community in need of the scheme's services.
Under the scheme grants are available for: small-scale physical security equipment such as window locks, door chains and locks and security lighting; and socially-monitored alarm systems. Funding is not available for conventional burglar alarms under this scheme.
Older people, aged 65 or over, who live alone or in households made up exclusively of older and/or other dependent vulnerable people and who are unable to install or purchase the equipment concerned themselves, can benefit from the scheme.
Older people, aged 66 or over, who live alone or in households with other dependent people can benefit from free schemes such as the free electricity/gas allowance, free TV licence and free telephone rental allowance. Concessions to the living alone requirements may apply to certain people over the age of 75, subject to certain conditions.
The only free scheme to which the living alone requirements does not apply is the free travel pass as every person over the age of 66, who is resident in the State, has an universal entitlement to a free travel pass.
As the eligibility conditions for assistance under both the scheme of community support for older people and the free schemes are quite different, it is not possible within the terms of the scheme, to provide an automatic entitlement to funding for security equipment.
However, as the Deputy is aware, the objective of this scheme is to address the security needs of vulnerable older people and a significant number of people have benefited in this regard. I am anxious therefore to ensure that the scheme remains focused and provides assistance to the most vulnerable older people, and does so in the most efficient and effective way possible.
In this regard, my Department has, in consultation with the Departments of Finance and Health and Children, commissioned an independent review of the scheme which will consider how the scheme is meeting its objectives and whether it is doing so in the most efficient and effective way possible. As the outcome of this review will not be available until later this year, the scheme will, in the meantime, continue to operate in its present form.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
344
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the hardship which is caused to many elderly people who have to attend for hospital appointments early in the morning during peak travelling times in relation to the free travel scheme for pensioners; if he will discuss with CIE the possibility of allowing people with hospital appointments to travel free of charge outside the normal hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15676/98]
Morning and evening peak time travel restrictions apply in relation to free travel on bus services operated by the CIE group in the major urban centres — Dublin, Cork and Limerick — and on certain long distance services from these cities on Friday evenings. There are no peak time travel restrictions on DART or on suburban rail services in Dublin and Cork, or on services provided by CIE and private transport operators in other parts of the country. These restrictions have been in operation since the inception of the scheme in 1967.
The purpose of these restrictions, is to ensure that adequate space is available on the bus services of Dublin Bus and the city bus services in Cork and Limerick for commuters to and from work and school.
An exception to the peak time travel restrictions is made in the case of people in receipt of disability allowance and blind person's pension who attend recognised long-term rehabilitation courses and for certain invalidity pensioners engaged on work experience programmes. These clients are issued with an unrestricted free travel pass which enables them to travel during the normally restricted travel times.
The question of extending unrestricted access to urban services at peak time to other groups with special needs is kept under review and the Department will continue to monitor the situation in consultation with the CIE group to assess the scope of improvements having regard to cost and other constraints.
