Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 7

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

198 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of applications for grant aid for security devices for the elderly received in 1998; the breakdown of this figure for each social welfare region; and the total cost to the Exchequer of providing each applicant with a grant to cover 90 per cent of the cost of the works applied for. [23990/98]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

199 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of applications received by his Department for grant aid for security devices for the elderly; the number for each social welfare region; the amount of funding required to provide 90 per cent grants to each applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24145/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.

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 and organisations, such as the group mentioned in the Deputy's question, who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.

A sum of £2 million was allocated to the scheme in the 1998 Estimates. A review of applications under the 1998 scheme indicated that some 940 applications had been received. The regional breakdown of these applications is attached at appendix A.

Having reviewed the level of demand under the scheme this year I recently sought, and obtained, Government approval for the allocation of an additional £3 million to the scheme, bringing the total allocation in 1998 to £5 million. The allocation of these additional funds will allow my Department to assist a large number of people again this year and the regional offices of my Department are currently processing applications. They expect to be in a position soon to advise groups of the decision regarding their applications.

The maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of 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. While preliminary figures suggest that additional funding would be required to fund all applications at the 90 per cent level it is expected that, as in previous years, the final demands under the scheme will be less than the initial preliminary figures would indicate.

Therefore, I am satisfied that the current level of funding is sufficient to allow my Department to make a meaningful response to worthwhile applications and to assist a large number of people again this year.

It should be noted that since its inception in 1996 a total of £12 million has been made available for this scheme and up to the end of 1997 some 36,000 people had been assisted by the scheme. It is anticipated that in excess of a further 20,000 people will be assisted this year. This means that since I came into office in July of last year I have spent £10 million on this scheme as opposed to £2 million spent by the previous Government.

I am anxious to ensure that this scheme addresses the security needs of the most vulnerable people and that it provides this assistance in the most efficient and effective way possible. In this regard, my Department has, in consultation with the Departments of Finance and Health and Children, commissioned an independent review of the scheme which will consider how the scheme is meeting its objectives and whether it is doing so in the most efficient and effective way possible. The final report from the consultants will be available later this year.