Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Since 1996 my Department has operated a scheme of community support for older people the purpose of which is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. This funding is provided by way of grants to voluntary groups and organisations who have undertaken to identify those older people in need of assistance under the scheme.

It is a condition of this scheme that detailed accounts of grant aid expenditure be submitted to the Department within three months of its receipt. In 1998 the group indicated in the Depu ty's question submitted an application for grant aid of £444,499 on behalf of 1,556 clients. Grant aid of £264,476 was approved to this organisation a figure which represented 59.5% of the total amount applied for.

As a result of numerous inquiries made by individual older people during the course of 1999 to the Dublin North Regional Office of my Department it became apparent that socially monitored alarm systems and other security devices for which this group had received funding in 1998 were still being installed in the homes of its intended beneficiaries. Accounts in respect of 1998 grants were finally furnished to my Department on 2 December 1999. An examination of the accounts raised a number of issues. The group submitted some additional information in relation to these and examination of the accounts is ongoing.

I am anxious to ensure that this scheme continues to address the security needs of the most vulnerable older people in our society. However, in administering this and other grant schemes which are funded from public money, my Department must ensure that all criteria are adhered to, including the provision by funded groups of satisfactory accounts in respect of previous grants. As soon as the examination of the 1998 accounts has been satisfactorily completed, then the grant application submitted by this group in 1999 will be processed.