Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
549 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding being provided this year for the seniors alert scheme 2012; the amount of funding provided for the same or similar scheme in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the reason for cutbacks in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26295/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra550 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors are not eligible for grant aid under the seniors alert scheme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26296/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra551 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the maximum grant available for monitoring personal alarms, smoke detectors, carbon dioxide detectors, additional pendant reinstallation, external security lights, internal emergency lights, under the seniors alert scheme 2011 and 2012 respectively; the reason for the changes in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26297/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 549 to 551, inclusive, together.
My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age.
The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The funding provided this year for the Seniors Alert Scheme is €2.35m.
Funding provided for years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 was as follows:
2008 — €3.059m.
2009 — €3.5m.
2010 — €3.10m.
2011 — €2.35m.
In 2011, grant support was available towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alert systems (pendant alarms) and other items to improve the safety and security of the home (including monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, internal emergency lighting and external security lighting).
In 2011, the maximum grants for equipment were as follows:
Monitored Personal alarms (with pendant) — €250
Monitored Smoke Detectors (per unit) — €75
Monitored Carbon Monoxide Detectors (per unit) — €100
Additional pendant/Re-installation — €50
External Security lights — €120
Internal Emergency lighting — €50
Due to unprecedented demand for grant assistance under the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2011, the budget allocation of €2.35m was expended by the end of November 2011; there were a significant number of grant applications received in December 2011 that the Seniors Alert Unit was unable to grant-aid until receipt of the budget allocation for 2012.
A significant portion of the 2012 budget allocation (€2.35m) was expended early in 2012 as a result of this unprecedented demand. The Seniors Alert Unit is also continuing to register Community and Voluntary groups who wish to administer the Scheme and this will have further implications for funding in 2012.
As a result, my Department examined the operation of the scheme with the aim of ensuring its sustainability and an equitable distribution of funding country-wide. The following temporary changes were notified to groups on 26 March 2012, and took effect from 30 March 2012:
Funding will continue to be available for the purchase and installation of socially monitored alarms at a maximum of €250 per alarm. Maximum funding of €50 is also available for additional pendants and reinstallations.
The aim of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to support independent living for those over 65 who live alone or who live with a person who is also over 65 years of age and oflimited financial means. A key element of the scheme is the provision of funding for a socially monitored alarm which supports this independence. Having regard to available funding in the current economic climate, my Department’s objective is to continue to maintain the scheme in a viable way and provide the maximum number of socially monitored alarms to as many older persons as possible in 2012.
The temporary changes made under the scheme will be monitored on an on-going basis and may be revised later in the year in light of the overall demand for funding relative to the budget allocation for 2012.
