Vol. 495 No. 2
170 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when payment of a grant will be made to Baltimore Community Alert Association towards the installation of a security system for the elderly in that area. [19783/98]
My Department has, since 1996, operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. This funding is provided by way of grant to voluntary groups who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.
A sum of £2 million was made available to the scheme in 1996, and some 15,000 individuals were assisted that year. In 1997 an initial allocation of £2 million was again made to the scheme.
However, I sought and received approval from Government to allocate an additional £3 million to the scheme, thus allowing the Department to assist some 21,000 individuals in 1997.
The closing date for applications for the 1998 scheme was 22 May and applications received before that date are being considered in the regional offices of my Department, which process applications under the scheme. A sum of £2 million was again allocated to the scheme in the 1998 Estimates. 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. The actual amount of the grant varies in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands which must be met.
The objective of the scheme is to address the security needs of vulnerable older people and a significant number of people have benefited in this regard. I am anxious to ensure that the scheme has sufficient resources allocated to it to ensure that a meaningful response can be made to the large number of applications received this year, while at the same time ensuring that the scheme remains focused and provides this assistance in the most efficient and effective way possible. There has again been a very high level of demand in relation to the scheme this year and I am aware of the hardship that may be caused to individuals who would not be in a position to make a substantial contribution to the cost of the equipment themselves.
