Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:
441
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the amount spent on the security for the elderly scheme in each of the past six years; the time of year most applications are sought; the length of time to give approval; the criteria for applications; if the names of those going to benefit from the scheme must be given in advance as sponsors seem to adopt different standards; the details of the scheme in 2002; and when allocations are expected.
[8308/02]
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 individ uals. Some €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.
The following table lists statistical information regarding the scheme of community support for older people from 1996 to 2001.
|
Year
|
Amountspent
|
Number of applications funded
|
|
1996
|
£2,562,680
|
528 representing 14,944 individuals
|
|
1997
|
£4,824,159
|
839 representing 21,783 individuals
|
|
1998
|
£4,996,538
|
1,020 representing some 21,000 individuals
|
|
1999
|
£2,963,124
|
619 representing 12,444 individuals
|
|
2000
|
£3,175,990
|
571 representing 12,016 individuals
|
|
2001*
|
£2,109,481
|
461 representing 8,654 individuals
|
* subject to reconciliation
The 2002 scheme of grants will be advertised extensively in the national and provincial newspapers in the near future.
However, 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.
While every effort is made to ensure the prompt processing of applications, failure to submit the necessary documentation or satisfactory accounts will invariably delay the processing of these applications. In administering this and other grant schemes, my Department must ensure that all criteria are adhered to, including the provision by funded groups of satisfactory accounts in respect of previous grants. Applications are processed as quickly as possible by my Department once all the necessary documentation has been received.
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 either 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 are unable to install or purchase the equipment concerned themselves.
As it is a condition of the scheme that individuals must be aged 65 and over it is necessary to provide details of age and PPS number, formally RSI number, in order to verify that all proposed beneficiaries satisfy this eligibility criteria.
I wish to assure the Deputy that all applications received in my Department and the information contained therein, is regarded with the utmost confidentiality and is required for above administrative purposes only.
Each organisation who applies for funding must provide the name, address and date of birth for each individual to be assisted under the scheme and state the type and cost of the equipment required for each individual.
Inevitably between the time the list is submitted to my Department and a recommendation is made, there may be some variation between the original list of beneficiaries and the final list due to unforeseen circumstances.
In general, grants under the scheme cover 50% of the once-off cost of the purchase and/or installation of the necessary security equipment but grants of up to 90% maybe made where the circumstances so warrant.
Any voluntary or community based organisation working with or providing support for vulnerable older people may apply for grant aid. Individual people who wish to obtain information on how they, or older people known to them, can obtain assistance under this scheme should contact their local representative of any of the organisations involved in the scheme, such as, Muintir na Tire, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or any other group involved in the scheme in their local area.
