Vol. 493 No. 3
347 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if funding is available for the provision of telephone emergency and alert systems for the elderly; if funding is available for community groups to provide alert systems on a community basis for the elderly and people living alone in remote areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16246/98]
The scheme of community support for older people was established in 1996 on foot of the recommendations of the Taskforce on Security for the Elderly. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security of vulnerable older people in the community.
Under the scheme grants are made available to voluntary organisations and community groups 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 assistance provided under the scheme.
Under the scheme once-off grants can be made towards the cost of small-scale physical security equipment such as window locks, door chains and locks and security equipment; and socially-monitored alarm systems — telephone emergency and alert systems.
Funding is not available under the scheme for conventional intruder/burglar alarms.
The scheme is focused on 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.
The maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of the cost and grants are provided only towards the once-off cost of the purchase and/or installation of the necessary equipment. However, the actual amount of the grant varies in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands which must be met.
The 1998 scheme was announced in the national and local newspapers on 9 April 1998 with a closing date of 22 May 1998. A sum of £2 million has been allocated to the scheme for 1998.
