Housing Aid for the Elderly.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004

Wednesday, 10 November 2004

Questions (167)

Jack Wall

Question:

220 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for the alarms for the elderly scheme received in his Department by Kildare residents for each of the past three years; if he has satisfied himself with the system of notification of the scheme for applicants; the period of time spent in processing applications; if he will report on the availability of suitable personnel to install the schemes; the funding that has been allocated to the scheme for each of the past three years; the funding that has been allocated for the advertising of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28412/04]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

Voluntary groups from County Kildare submitted applications on behalf of 654 individuals since 2002 under the scheme of community supports for older people. This figure comprises 186 individuals in 2002, 170 in 2003 and 298 in 2004. A total of €2.7 million was allocated to the scheme for the country as a whole in 2002, €2.9 million in 2003 and €2.4 million in 2004.

The scheme is advertised each year in the national daily and regional newspapers and is also advertised on my Department's website. Advertising costs for the scheme this year totalled €72,762. Contact details of interested parties are also entered on a database throughout the year and the scheme details are sent by mail shot to all those on the database once the grant scheme is officially launched. This year almost 500 groups and individuals were included in the mail shot.

The 2004 scheme of community support for older people was advertised nationwide on 29 July 2004 with a closing date of 13 September 2004. It is intended to notify the successful applicants in December.

The selection of suppliers and installers of equipment funded under the scheme is a matter for the voluntary-community groups concerned.