Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On 6 April the Minister of State announced funding for this scheme and on 7 April his colleague beside him, the senior Minister, announced the suspension of the scheme. Many elderly people throughout the country are worried. Many people who are living in their homes would be in nursing homes were it not for this scheme. The scheme has had a great voluntary element with many people supporting it on a voluntary basis. The Government attacked the over-70s with the removal of the medical card and it is now attacking elderly people who live at home. This scheme worked well and it gave people confidence, particularly now when we have high crime levels. Many elderly people have been beaten up in their homes, some of them having to go to hospital and others being robbed. At least when they had a panic button they could press it and a neighbour or the Garda Síochána would come to their assistance. I hope this announcement is not merely to get the Government over the local elections. I hope it is not the case that the Government is announcing the suspension of the scheme in order to reinstate it or review it by September.

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