The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. The funding allocated for Seniors Alert in 2013 is €2.35m. In the year to date, approx. €1.9 million has been grant-aided to 8,439 beneficiaries.
The maximum grants for equipment are as follows:
- Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250
- Additional pendant/Re-installation - €50
The Scheme does not provide funding for costs associated with cameras and CCTV systems for home security and I have no plans to extend its scope to include such equipment.