Question to the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr Phil Hogan, TD)
To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the funding available for community groups to assist older persons to continue to live securely in their homes; if he will consider permitting such funding to be used for cameras and CCTV systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN answer Tuesday, 1st October 2013
REPLY
The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.
The funding allocated for Seniors Alert in 2013 is €2.35m. In the year to date, approx. €1.9 million has been grant-aided to 8,439 beneficiaries.
The maximum grants for equipment are as follows:
– Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) – €250
– Additional pendant/Re-installation – €50
The Scheme does not provide funding for costs associated with cameras and CCTV systems for home security and I have no plans to extend its scope to include such equipment.