Vol. 530 No. 5
144 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will extend the provisions of the security for the elderly scheme to include the annual alarm maintenance charge which is now running at over £50 per annum. [4389/01]
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 who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.
Since I came to office in mid-1997 I have allocated a total of £18 million to this scheme, which to the end of 2000 had allowed some 65,000 individuals to receive assistance under the scheme. 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 sum of £5 million has been provided for the scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2001.
Under the terms of the scheme, grant aid is available towards the purchase and/or installation cost of small-scale physical security equipment such as strengthening of doors and windows, window locks and 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.
