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]
Vol. 463 No. 4
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]
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: