Vol. 500 No. 6
112 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a decision not to allow a personal alarm to a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reconsidered in view of the fact that her daughter is out of the home for at least 14 hours of each day. [4654/99]
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" 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. As indicated in my reply of 3 February 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 144 raised by the Deputy, as the person referred to in the Deputy's question is living with her daughter, she does not qualify for assistance under the scheme.
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 future operation of the scheme will be determined in the light of the outcome of this review.
