Noel Dempsey
Ceist:91 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if he will provide extra funding to the health boards to enable them to supply bleepers and special victim support telephones for the elderly living in rural Ireland. [6663/96]
Written Answers. - Security of Elderly Population.
Limerick East): The question of possible improvements in the security of our elderly population was considered by a task force established by my colleague the Minister for Social Welfare. Deputy Proinsias De Rossa, at the end of January this year. The task force has since reported and the Minister for Social Welfare announced last Thursday that he has received Government approval for a £6.5 million package of new measures to improve security for the elderly. This is in addition to the £1.5 million announced by the Minister for Finance in the budget. The principal measures agreed are outlined as follows:
—The extension of the budget tax relief measure to include relatives who install security systems in the homes of elderly people living alone. Provision for this measures will be included in the Finance Bill to be published shortly. The budget package provided for tax relief of up to £800 at the standard rate of income tax for people aged 65 and over and living alone for the purchase cost of alarm systems. The total cost is expected to be £5 million.
—£2 million in grants to be made available this year by the Department of Social Welfare to voluntary groups to support the installation of security equipment.
—FÁS to encourage the development of special schemes aimed at enhancing the security of the elderly. Local voluntary and community groups to be encouraged, when planning for this year's students summer jobs scheme, to consider projects which would provide greater security for elderly people living alone.
—Measures to be finalised with Telecom Éireann to provide for a substantial reduction in the cost of installing telephones in the homes of elderly people. It is expected that the grants and the tax relief measures will generate increased demand under the Department of Social Welfare free telephone rental allowance scheme. This is expected to cost about £1 million. The Department of Justice and Social Welfare will co-operate in a renewed campaign to be undertaken to provide elderly people with specific information and advice on how to improve personal security both inside and outside their homes. Local authorities are to be encouraged to erect community alert and neighbourhood watch signs for community groups. The Garda as part of the operation of their community policing activities, will encourage greater co-operation and liaison at local level among service providers including all State agencies. A comprehensive evaluation and assessment to be carried out of all the community based initiatives in relation to the security needs of the elderly to identify gaps and to ensure that all areas of the country are adequately covered.
I assure the Deputy that my Department and — or the health boards will carry out the tasks which have been assigned to them on foot of the report.