asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to implement the recommendations in the report Communications Networks and the Elderly; and if so, when.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on the Elderly.
4.
It is Government policy to ensure that, as far as possible, the elderly can remain in their own homes and communities and not enter institutional care unnecessarily. I am interested in the potential of new technology-alarm systems as a means of helping vulnerable elderly persons to maintain their independence in their own homes. The provision of an alarm system is one of many options open to the health boards in the development of community health services for the elderly. However, I do not see the health services as having the sole responsibility for the provision of alarms but my Department are willing to co-operate with agencies both public and voluntary in the introduction of alarm systems which will promote the welfare of the elderly.
The report made a number of recommendations, particularly in relation to co-operation between Government Departments and my Department are taking up these issues with other Government Departments. I am keen that the report's recommendations on the establishment of a pilot scheme be implemented and I have allocated money to the Eastern Health Board to assist the South (Dublin) Inner City Group with the introduction of an alarm system for elderly persons in the centre of Dublin. I am also exploring the possibility in co-operation with the Northern Ireland authorities, of initiating a scheme in the Border areas to protect vulnerable elderly persons living in remote places.
When does the Minister expect to have these pilot schemes in operation and then when does he expect that those schemes will be completed and that a scheme will be available nationally?
The south Dublin inner city scheme is well under way. It is currently semi-operational and is proving effective. That is my awareness of it as of two months ago. We are in contact with my counterpart in Northern Ireland and we have put up proposals for using on a joint Border basis moneys we hope to receive from the international fund and to do so in co-operation with the two health boards straddling the border area, particularly the Northern Eastern Health Board area where an excellent ambulance alarm system or communications system is in existence at the moment and we want to double that across Counties Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and up into Leitrim.
With reference to the Drogheda and Dundalk areas can the Minister say if the North-Eastern Health Board have been advised on the basis of the information the Minister has now supplied? I am not aware that that information has been supplied.
We are in contact with various health boards but we feel that there is an area, namely from Donegal right down to Louth, in the Border counties where great benefit could be given in terms of personal security for vulnerable elderly people living alone. I assure the Deputy that we are very anxious to work in close co-operation with the North Eastern Health Board, and discussions are taking place at the moment in that regard.