Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2009
297 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the terms of his decision to restrict the scheme whereby his Department covered the cost of installing socially monitored alarms; and if persons who lodged an application prior to 7 April 2009 will have their application dealt with in the usual way. [18536/09]
View answer307 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will restore the community support for older people grant in view of its proven value in protecting older people in their homes and helping them to feel secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18926/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 307 together.
I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions 68 and 69 on 29 April 2009. As indicated in that reply, the Scheme of Community Support for Older People was suspended on 7th April in order to afford my Department the opportunity to review its operation. I met with representatives of organisations involved with issues affecting older people and I have agreed with them a process that will set the broad parameters for the review and for the necessary consultation to be undertaken as part of it. I am hopeful that the review process can begin in May and be completed by mid September. As indicated in the earlier reply, it is my intention to re-launch the scheme later in the year, once the review is completed. All applications received up to the suspension of the Scheme will be processed and approved, as appropriate, in line with the current eligibility criteria. In addition, it is important to note that the suspension of the Scheme in no way affects those who already have received a monitored alarm device.
