Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.

Richard Bruton

Question:

740 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the present operation of the security for the elderly scheme; if in particular he will consider modifying the lack of any proper notification to senior citizens of their possible entitlements under this scheme by his Department, the opening up of this scheme for application by voluntary agencies only once per year and the expectation that voluntary agencies would fund the scheme out of their own resources and only receive a repayment from his Department at the end of the year. [24327/00]

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

My Department has, since 1996, operated the 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 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 the scheme. I am committed to ensuring 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 was again provided for the scheme in 2000.

My Department aims to ensure that individuals are aware of the scheme by advertising it on a national and provincial basis and by disseminating information on the scheme through a range of voluntary organisations and through the community liaison section of the Garda Síochána. In November 1999 in order to further enhance the profile and promote greater awareness of the scheme, my Department circulated a newsletter to some 311,000 pensioners, outlining details of all relevant schemes including information on the scheme of community support for older people. This extensive promotional campaign ensured that all potentially eligible, elderly people, were advised of the scheme and informed of its benefits.

The maximum grant available under the scheme is 90% of the once-off costs of purchasing-installing the necessary security equipment. However, the actual level of funding made available for individual applications varies according to individual needs and circumstances and according to the overall demand to be met in relation to the available resources. It is necessary to assess all applications at the same time so that an appropriate level of funding can be determined for each application, taking into account the need to target funding at those most in need of assistance under the scheme.

In order to facilitate this process it is necessary to have one closing date for receipt of applications so that an accurate assessment of the total number of applications received and the level of funding sought can be made. This process also reduces the administrative responsibilities of the voluntary organisations who work tirelessly in their communities to improve the social support of the most vulnerable older people and to promote the benefits of the scheme. While the closing date for receipt of applications this year, was 26 May 2000, the regional offices of my Department were flexible in accepting late applications, their prime concern being the safety and security of vulnerable older people in the community.

The scheme is operated on the basis that the security equipment sought by proposed beneficiaries by way of a voluntary group, is purchased and installed upon receipt of grant aid by the voluntary group. The scheme is not intended to reimburse voluntary groups for costs incurred in the advance purchase-installations of security devices. An independent review of the scheme was completed in 1999 and there are no plans to amend the terms of the scheme.

Question No. 741 taken with Question No. 735.