Vol. 573 No. 3
716 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grants available to elderly people for the provision of monitored alarm systems; the moneys which have been provided for this scheme for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25025/03]
My Department has responsibility for the administration of the scheme of community support for older people which provides funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people.
Funding can be provided for small-scale physical security equipment, such as strengthening of doors and windows, window locks, door chains, door locks and security lighting; and socially monitored alarm systems, such as the ‘panic button' pendant which is worn around the neck or wrist and operated via the telephone.
Where socially monitored alarms previously installed under this scheme are broken, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement.
The details of the expenditure for the scheme for each of the past five years is set out below.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
1998 |
£4,996,538 |
|
1999 |
£2,968,187 |
|
2000 |
£3,175,989 |
|
2001 |
£2,109,481 |
|
2002 |
€2,717,918 |
