Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Denis Naughten

Question:

904 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans he has to subsidise the cost of the monitoring fee for security pendants for the elderly as many elderly people cannot afford this fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1619/01]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

933 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will abolish the annual maintenance charge of £52 annually for service of pendants for old age pensioners in rural areas. [2472/01]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 933 together.

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 £18 million to this scheme, which to the end of 1999 had allowed some 53,000 individuals to receive assistance under the scheme. While final figures are not yet available for 2000, it is estimated that a further 12,000 individuals were assisted under the scheme last year. 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 the scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2001.

Under the terms of the scheme, grant aid is available towards the purchase and/or installation cost of: small-scale physical security equipment such as strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains and locks and security lighting; and socially-monitored alarm systems – such as the "pendant" alarm system which is operated via the telephone and is worn around the neck or wrist. Under the terms of the scheme, funding is available towards the once-off costs of obtaining or installing the relevant equipment. Annual monitoring fees or maintenance fees associated with socially-monitored alarm systems are not provided for under the scheme. As these fees are levied by private service providers my Department has no role in setting or abolishing such fees. A review of the scheme was completed in April 1999 and there are no plans to amend the scheme.

Question No. 905 answered with Question No. 872.