Vol. 552 No. 1
486 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will make available to 13 community alert areas in the north Mayo area the sum of ?50,000 to cater for the provision of emergency lighting units for elderly people in the north Mayo area who have been identified as being vulnerable on account of very frequent power and voltage collapses in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11609/02]
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 its commencement, a total of €32.5 million has been allocated to the scheme, which, to the end of 2000, has assisted some 80,482 individuals. A sum of €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.
Under the terms of the scheme, grants for the following equipment are provided for: small-scale physical security equipment such as, strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains and door locks and security lighting; and socially-monitored alarms systems, such as the panic button pendant which is worn around the neck or wrist and operated via the telephone. An independent review of the scheme was completed in 1999 and there are no plans to amend its terms. Funding is not available under the scheme for provision of emergency lighting units to cover power failures as indicated in the Deputy's question. My Department's scheme is specifically designed to provide funding to improve the security and social support of older people as detailed above. The supply of electricity is the responsibility of the Department of Public Enterprise which formulates high-level policy for the energy sector. My Department has recently contacted that Department in relation to the specific problem the Deputy has raised in relation to electricity supply in north Mayo.
