Mary Upton
Ceist:1005 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is entitled to a pendant alarm. [1703/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 January 2004
Ceisteanna (883)
Freagraí scríofa
The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is 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 that have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.
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 and socially monitored alarm systems. Where socially monitored alarms previously installed under this scheme are broken, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement.
Older people, that is, people aged 65 and over, who are living alone or living in households made up exclusively of older people, or of older and other people who are dependent and vulnerable, are eligible for assistance under the scheme.
My officials are currently making arrangements in relation to the administration of the scheme for 2004 and the criteria pertaining. It is expected that the scheme will be advertised in the local and national papers in the second quarter of the year.
I attach for the Deputy's information a list of organisations funded under the scheme in the Dublin South region in 2003, any of which will be happy to apply for assistance on behalf of individuals in that area.