Vol. 497 No. 5
273 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason an application by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Naas, County Kildare, for funding under the voluntary community grant scheme for the installation of panic buttons in senior citizens houses in Naas is being restricted to 50 per cent grant when the scheme can allow for 90 per cent grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25497/98]
275 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason the amount of funding allocated to the security scheme for the elderly has been reduced; if he will allocate a further £2.6 million to the scheme which will bring the level of funding up to a satisfactory level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/98]
278 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has made money available in the 1999 Estimates to continue to fund the valuable scheme of community support for older people to address the security needs of older people. [25649/98]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 273, 275 and 278 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 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. 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 for 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. While the maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of the once-of cost of the purchase and—or installation of the necessary equipment it is not possible to guarantee this level of funding in respect of all applications received under the scheme. This will continue to apply as it has since the inception of the scheme and the actual amount of the grant will continue to vary in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands. No decision has been made by me to change the basis for making awards under the scheme. 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.
