Vol. 467 No. 1
268 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the recently advertised grant aid for community groups to assist the elderly with security and personal alarms is meant to be a complete response to the situation in view of the fact that only three to four week's notice was given in the press and limited assistance was offered under the proposed scheme. [12475/96]
As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 123 on 6 June 1996, one of the recommendations of the special task force on security for the elderly was that my Department introduce a £2 million grant scheme to provide grant aid to voluntary groups in relation to security initiatives for the elderly. That recommendation was accepted. Subsequently, the Department established an advisory committee, on which the National Council for the Elderly, the Irish Association for Victim Support, Muintir na Tíre, the Irish Country Women's Association and the Garda Síochána are represented, to devise a suitable scheme that would ensure that the available funds are targeted on the most vulnerable older people and the best possible value for money is achieved.
The scheme, entitled, a Scheme of Community Support for Older People, was advertised on Wednesday, 29 May in the national newspapers. The scheme is open to any voluntary or communitybased organisation working with or providing support for vulnerable older people. It was decided that to make the funds available through voluntary organisations in this way is the most appropriate way of ensuring that the most vulnerable older people are targeted by the scheme. Voluntary groups operate close to the ground and are aware of the greatest need in their communities. Working with the voluntary sector to deliver these funds to the most needy has the advantage that individual older people need not make an application and can have their needs met with the minimum of administration and without the need for a formal assessment of their circumstances by departmental staff. I am satisfied this is the most appropriate way in which to structure my Department's response to the situation.
