Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

320 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason old age pensioners and the disabled have to pay a monitoring fee of £52 per year if they agree to have an alarm system fitted in their homes; if this anomaly will be rectified in this year's budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22234/99]

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

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 towards the cost of 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.

Under the terms of the scheme only once-off costs associated with the installation of this type of equipment can be funded. There are no provisions to provide funding towards ongoing monitoring fees.