Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Senior Citizen's Immediate Alert.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

120 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will provide funds for the provision of immediate alert for senior citizens (details supplied) in Ballymacarbery, County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13832/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person referred to requested the Ballymacarbery Community Alert Committee to raise funds to purchase alarms for all senior citizens in the locality. However, I understand that this proposal was rejected by the committee. There are no funds at my disposal to provide for the purchase of alarms for senior citizens.

I would like to reassure the Deputy and the person concerned that the Ballymacarbery area is receiving constant Garda attention. The Garda station at Ballymacarbery has a Garda manpower strength of one sergeant and two gardaí and there is one mobile unit attached to the station which patrols the immediate area. Crime in the area is relatively low with 15 crimes reported in 1994. The Garda authorities have also informed me that the last attack on an elderly person in the Ballymacarbery area occurred over ten years ago. The Ballymacarbery area now has two community alert schemes which I understand are operating successfully. In addition, the Garda Síochána have a policy of visiting senior citizens in their homes in rural areas, particularly those that are living alone.