Vol. 553 No. 4
143 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider introducing a grant to allow older people purchase a house alarm, as distinct from a social or pendant alarm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14203/02]
Since 1996 my Department has operated the scheme of community support for older people. The purpose of this scheme 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 2001, has assisted 89,136 individuals. A sum of €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.
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 system such as the pendant alarm system which is operated via the telephone and is worn around the neck or wrist.
Funding is not available under the scheme for conventional intruder/burglar alarms of the type indicated in the Deputy's question. A review of the scheme was completed in April 1999 and there are no plans to amend the scheme.
The 2002 scheme of grants will be advertised extensively in the national and provincial newspapers in the near future.
