Ceist:
276 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 can avail of the community support for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25625/98]
Written Answers - Security of the Elderly.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:279 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if an alarm system will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [25709/98]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 276 and 279 together.
As the Deputy is aware 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.
The maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of the cost and grants are provided only towards the once-of 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.
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 closing date for applications under the 1998 scheme was 22 May and applications received before that date are currently being considered in the regional offices of my Department, which process applications under the scheme. Unfortunately, it is not possible to consider any further applications at this stage.
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. Provision of £2 million has been made in the 1999 Estimates for continuation of the work supported under the scheme.