Vol. 500 No. 5
142 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the circumstances under which an elderly person aged 80 can receive a personal alarm which is attached to the telephone and which can be worn around the wrist or the neck and particularly in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who lives alone in a rural remote area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4490/99]
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. Under the scheme grants are available for small-scale physical security equipment such as strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains and locks and security lighting and socially-monitored alarm systems such as the "pendant" or "panic button" alarm system which is operated via the telephone and is worn around the wrist or neck.
To qualify for assistance under the scheme, older people, aged 65 or over must be living alone or be living in households made up exclusively of older people, or of older and other people who are dependent and vulnerable and be unable to install or purchase the security equipment or alarm system themselves.
In general, grants under the scheme cover from 50 per cent to 90 per cent of the once-off cost of the purchase and/or installation of the necessary security equipment. While the maximum grant available under this scheme is 90 per cent of the total cost, it is not possible to guarantee this level of funding in respect of all applications received under the scheme.
Older people who wish to apply for a grant under the scheme should contact the voluntary group or organisation in their local area prior to the purchase and/or installation of the necessary security equipment.
No application was received under the scheme in 1998 from any voluntary group or organisation in County Sligo on behalf of the person named in the Deputy's question. 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 shortly and the operation of the scheme in 1999 will be determined in the light of the outcome of this review.
