I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare for taking the debate on the Phonewatch system for pensioners. I am surprised, however, that that Department is replying because I assumed the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Deputy Lowry, had responsibility for Telecom Éireann which is concerned with this issue.
I recently tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister. Deputy Lowry, on this issue and he disclaimed any responsibility for it. Nonetheless, I am glad of the opportunity to raise the matter now. Early in the new year a number of attacks on elderly people in rural areas received much media attention. The IFA, which is always quick to jump in to defend its members, managed to negotiate a good deal with Telecom Phonewatch for the supply of the medialert security system to elderly people living alone in rural areas. Under the medi-alert system, elderly people wear a pendant around their neck and in an emergency can press a button on the pendant which is linked to a control centre. Once alerted, the centre can notify relatives, the ambulance service or the Garda as appropriate. It is a very good system which gives the elderly a great sense of security and peace of mind.
However, it is expensive to install and costs more than £200. There is also a monitoring charge of £87 per year putting it out of reach for many pensioners. The IFA negotiated a preferential deal with Telecom involving a reduced rate for installing the system. The monitoring charge was also reduced to less than half the usual price.
While I must congratulate the IFA on negotiating the deal, as a Dublin Deputy I represent many elderly people in Finglas particularly which has a huge older population. Many of them are living in fear for their safety and their lives because of the high crime levels.
In spite of high profile crimes against elderly people in rural areas, the overall rural crime rate is declining while in some parts of Dublin crime levels are 30 times higher than in many country areas. Generally speaking, something that happens in rural Ireland receives far more attention than an incident in Dublin. It is a problem that this House also gives the rural bias that we see time and again.
It is unacceptable that Telecom, a semi-State company, should offer preferential rates to pensioners purely because of where they live and the fact that they are IFA members. I cannot justify that to my constituents who are senior citizens, many of whom are in real danger of being attacked given the high crime levels in Dublin. Why are they not also entitled to preferential rates? This represents discrimination against urban pensioners. It is unfair and cannot be justified. It is not good enough for us to stand by and allow such discrimination take place.
In the recent package announced by the Minister for Social Welfare we saw a number of initiatives designed to improve the security of elderly people. I expected these preferential rates to be included in that package. I cannot understand why the Minister did not negotiate such rates with Telecom on behalf of the many thousands of pensioners in urban areas, particularly in Dublin. It is disappointing that that did not happen.
It may be said that, strictly speaking, this is not a matter for the Department of Social Welfare. However, I appeal to the Minister of State to bring whatever pressure he can to bear on the Minister, Deputy Lowry, to put it to Telecom — a company with which he has close links — that the rates they have agreed for elderly farmers should also be available to pensioners in urban areas.
Bearing in mind the significantly higher crime levels in cities, this would only be fair to the elderly. I appeal to the Minister to take action, and to ensure that there is fair play all around for our pensioners.
