Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 2

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

133 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the grant aid available from his Department to elderly people to help them install security or alarm systems in their homes; if he will outline any initiatives taken by his Department to help elderly people in rural areas feel safer in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/00]

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 aid to voluntary groups and organisations which have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.

Since I came to office in mid-1997 some 53,000 individuals have received assistance under the scheme at a cost of £13 million. I am anxious to ensure that this scheme continues to address the security needs of the most vulnerable older people in our society and accordingly a further sum of £5 million has been provided for the scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2000.

Under the terms of the scheme grant aid is 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 neck or wrist.

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.

Under the terms of the scheme a maximum of 90% of the once-off costs associated with the purchase and/or installation of this type of equipment can be funded. Annual monitoring fees or maintenance fees associated with these systems are not provided for under the scheme.

While the maximum grant available under this scheme is 90% of the total cost, it is not possible to guarantee this level of funding in respect of all applications received under the scheme. Priority in allocating the available funds will be given to the most vulnerable older people. The actual amount of the grant will vary in the light of individual circumstances and needs and the overall demands which must be met.

Individual people who wish to obtain assistance under the scheme, must do so by way of a voluntary organisation, such as community alert groups, neighbourhood watch groups, Muintir na Tire, etc. The involvement of such organisations in identifying and addressing the security needs of older people in the community creates opportunities for groups to develop wider links with older people in their areas. It also has the potential to increase, in a very real sense, the support network available to vulnerable older people in the community, while also allowing for a flexible response to individual needs. The energy and commitment of these voluntary groups is one of the strengths of this scheme's administration and although the scheme was established to increase the security and social support of vulnerable elderly people nationally, this approach is particularly effective in rural areas where elderly people experience greater degrees of isolation.

My Department aims to ensure individuals are aware of the scheme by advertising it on a national and provincial basis and by disseminating information on the scheme through a range of voluntary organisations and through the community liaison section of the Garda Síochána.

While the closing date for receipt of applications was 26 May 2000, the regional offices of my Department are flexible in accepting late applications, their prime concern being the safety and security of vulnerable older people in the community. If the Deputy requires information on which voluntary groups are actively participating in the scheme in a particular area, I would be happy to provide details in this regard.