Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 2

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

41 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total number of grants provided by his Department to equip senior citizens with social monitoring and alarm devices; if he plans to amend the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19755/01]

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

Since 1996, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding 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 terms of the scheme grants for the following equipment are provided for: small-scale physical security equipment such as, strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains and door locks and security lighting; and socially-monitored alarms systems, such as the "panic button" pendant which is worn around the neck or wrist and operated via the telephone.

To be eligible for grant-aid under the scheme, individuals must be aged 65 and over and living alone or living in households made up exclusively of older people, or of older people and other people who are dependent and vulnerable; and unable to install or purchase the equipment concerned themselves.

Since its commencement, a total of £22 million has been allocated to the scheme, which to the end of 2000 has assisted some 82,000 individuals. I am committed to ensuring that this scheme continues to address the security needs of the most vulnerable older people in our society and accordingly a sum of £3.5 million has been provided for the scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2001.

The scheme was reviewed in 1999 and there are no plans to amend the scheme. A detailed breakdown of all the grants paid under the scheme is available in the Oireachtas Library for the Deputy's information.

Scheme of Community Support for Older People

Year	Amountspent	No. of applications funded
1996	£2,562,680	528 representing 14,944individuals – average £171
1997	£4,824,159	839 representing 21,783individuals – average £221
1998	£4,996,538	1,020 representing some 21,000 individuals – average £238
1999	£2,968,187	619 representing 12,444individuals – average £239
2000	£3,175,990	571 representing 12,016 individuals – average £264