Security of the Elderly

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Questions (424)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding being provided this year for the senior alerts scheme 2012; the amount of funding provided for the same or similar scheme in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; his plans to provide further funding in 2012 for the senior alert scheme in view of the importance of this scheme to the security and well being of older persons; and the demand for the scheme. [45875/12]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages and assists the community’s support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The following table outlines the budget provision from 2008 to 2012.

Year	Budget
2008	€3.059m
2009	€3.5m
2010	€3.10m
2011	€2.35m
2012	€2.45m

The aim of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to support independent living for those over 65 who live alone or who live with a person who is also over 65 years of age and of limited financial means. A key element of the Scheme is the provision of funding for a socially monitored alarm which supports this independence. So far this year funding has been provided to 7810 people.