Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for taking this Topical Issue and allowing us to express our concerns about the senior alert scheme. Post-budget there was much controversy and discussion, which one would expect, but there was also a good deal of misinformation and scare-mongering, for whatever reasons. Part of it surrounds the removal of the telephone allowance. I have come into the House to raise my genuine concerns about the senior alert scheme because it is a very successful scheme funded by the Minister's Department. I note the funding increased last year, which means that many proactive community and voluntary groups throughout the country are utilising this scheme to help the elderly and the vulnerable people in our society who may be isolated. It offers grant aid towards monitored alarms and the security pendants elderly people wear.

I refer to the information regarding the removal of the telephone allowance of €9.50 per month. I do not welcome the removal of the allowance but I welcome that a number of companies have since dropped their prices for the use of the telephone line to take account of that allowance being taken from older people.

Two weeks ago I was in the house of an elderly man who lives alone in County Waterford who had a telephone bill of over €100 per month, which I could not believe. When I examined the bill I could see that he was still paying his bills using the old direct billing method, which is for every call he made. Public representatives and voluntary and community groups would do a better job if we informed elderly people throughout the country that telephone companies now offer packages which allow the person to have unlimited phone calls for €30 to €40 per month. The telephone companies are in direct competition with each other and all of these packages are readily available to the public on the callcosts website. Elderly people should take advantage of that because it will reduce the cost of their calls.

I raise this issue because I want the Minister to allay any fears about it. I note his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, gave a public commitment on the evening of the budget that he would find additional resources to ensure the senior alert scheme will continue. We must reassure people, and the voluntary and community groups which operate this scheme, that it will continue.

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