Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

418 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will allow the security grant for older persons to be available on an all year round basis; if he will consider deleting the need of officers in community alert programmes not to have to request elderly people for RSI or pension numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7683/02]

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 who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.

Since its commencement, a total of €32.5 million has been allocated to the scheme, which to the end of 2000 has assisted some 80,482 individuals. Some €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.

Funding payable under all schemes and programmes operated by my Department is subject to compliance with the defined selection and eligibility criteria for these schemes and programmes. While I appreciate that some older people may be reluctant to divulge PPSN – formally RSI number – or pension numbers, in order to administer this and other grant schemes which are funded from public money, the Department must ensure that all criteria are adhered to. It is a condition of the scheme that individuals must be aged 65 and over and the PPS number provides the mechanism for verifying that all proposed beneficiaries satisfy this eligibility criteria.

I assure the Deputy and voluntary groups participating in the scheme, that all applications received in my Department and the information contained therein, are regarded with the utmost confidentiality and is required for above administrative purposes only.

Under the scheme of community support for older people the maximum grant available is 90% of the once-off costs of purchasing and installing the necessary security equipment. However, the actual level of funding made available for individual applications varies according to individual needs and circumstances and according to the overall demand to be met in relation to the available resources. It is necessary to assess all applications at the same time so that an appropriate level of funding can be determined for each application, taking into account the need to target funding at those most in need of assistance under the scheme. In order to facilitate this process it is necessary to have one closing date for receipt of applications so that an accurate assessment of the total number of applications received and the level of funding sought can be made.

I consider that this process, which diminishes the administrative responsibilities of voluntary organisations, actually supports the voluntary sector whom I acknowledge work tirelessly in the communities to improve the social support of the most vulnerable older people and to promote the benefits of the scheme.

In addition, while a closing date for receipt of applications is applied each year, 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.