Vol. 515 No. 3
264 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the assistance, if any, available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is an old age pensioner and is unable to afford an alarm following a recent burglary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6003/00]
My Department has, since 1996, operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. This funding is provided by way of grant aid to voluntary groups and organisations who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.
Since I came to office in mid-1997, I have allocated a total of £13 million to this scheme which allowed some 53,000 individuals to receive assistance under it. I am anxious to ensure that this scheme continues to address the security needs of the most vulnerable older people in our society and, accordingly, a sum of £5 million has been provided for this scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2000.
In general, grants under the scheme cover from 50% to 90% of the once-off cost of the purchase and/or installation of the necessary security equipment, with the exclusion of the conventional intruder alarm. While the maximum grant available under this scheme is 90% of the total cost, it is not possible to guarantee this level of funding in respect of all applications received under the scheme. Priority in allocating the available funds will be given to the most vulnerable older people. The actual amount of the grant will vary in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands which must be met.
I am aware that in 1998, a voluntary organisation applied for funding on behalf of some 37 individuals, including the person referred to in the Deputy's question. The group in question received funding of £6,286 in that year to assist the individuals indicated in their application and I understand that the individual indicated in the Deputy's question received some assistance that year. While the group made a further application in 1999 to the Department it did not include an application on behalf of the individual indicated.
I propose to advertise this year's scheme in both the national and provincial press by mid-March, by which time any voluntary or community-based organisation working with or providing support for vulnerable older people may submit applications for funding. If a further application for funding on behalf of the person concerned is received under this year's scheme it will be given full consideration taking into account the level of assistance sought and the overall demands to be met under the scheme.
