Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1123. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he intends providing further funding this year for the senior alert scheme in view of the importance of this scheme to the security and well being of older people and the demand for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37873/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1124. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will outline the changes he has made this year to the senior alert scheme; the reasons for these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37874/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1124 together.
Due to the level of 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 my Department was unable to process pending the budget allocation for 2012. A significant portion of the 2012 budget allocation (€2.35m) was expended early in 2012. My Department is also continuing to register Community and Voluntary groups who wish to administer the Scheme and this has further increased the demand for funding in 2012.
Given the unavoidable constraints on funding generally, my Department examined the operation of the scheme with the aim of ensuring its sustainability and an equitable distribution of available funding country-wide. The following temporary changes were notified to groups on 26 March 2012, and took effect from 30 March 2012:
- Funding will only 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).
- Grants to Community and Voluntary groups will be capped at €30,000 per annum .
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 of limited 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, the changes above will ensure that my Department can 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. So far this year €2,007,800 has been spent on the scheme, providing equipment to 6,671 beneficiaries.
