Vol. 560 No. 1
960 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will review the operation of the community support for older people, with particular regard to the charge of a ?66 annual monitoring fee, which is beyond the means of many older people. [1773/03]
Since the commencement of the scheme of community support for older people, a total of €32.5 million has been allocated to the scheme, which to the end of 2001 has assisted some 89,136 individuals. A sum of €4.4 million was provided for the scheme in 2002. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. Under the terms of the scheme, grant aid is available towards the once-off costs of purchase and-or installation 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.
Annual monitoring fees or maintenance fees associated with socially-monitored alarm systems are not provided for under the scheme. As these fees are levied by private service providers, this Department has no role in setting, abolishing, waiving or reducing such fees. Any changes to the terms of the scheme for 2003, will have to be considered in light of the resources available to the scheme.
