Vol. 494 No. 3
240 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the position regarding the allocation of grants to senior citizens for the provision of alarms and safety measures in the house; the percentage of the cost which is grant aided for the installation of such devices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/98]
The scheme of community support for older people was established to address the security needs of vulnerable older people in the community by providing once-off funding for certain types of security equipment. Under the scheme grants are made available to voluntary organisations such as Muintir na Tire, Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch, which have undertaken to identify the older people in the community in need of the assistance provided under the scheme. Under the scheme once-off grants can be made towards the cost of small-scale physical security equipment such as strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains and locks and security equipment; and socially-monitored alarm systems. Funding is not available under the scheme for conventional intruder-burglar alarms.
The maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of the cost and grants are provided only towards the once-off cost of the purchase and-or installation of the necessary equipment. However the actual amount of the grant varies in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands which must be met.
The closing date for applications was 22 May and applications received before that date are currently being considered in the regional offices of my Department, who process applications under the scheme. My Department expects to be in a position soon to advise groups of the decisions regarding their applications under the scheme.
