Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I am glad Senator Leyden expressed concern for the hard-pressed taxpayer but I would like him to express concern to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding a change in a scheme. An imaginative scheme, the scheme of community support for older people, was introduced in 1997. It assured elderly people, particularly pensioners and many people living alone in rural locations, that they would be entitled to security alarms and pendants. When the scheme was introduced 90% funding of the overall cost was provided. If one applied for the security alarm in May, one could have to wait until October or November before it would be fitted. If, for example, an older person living in rural Ireland who has lost a loved one requests this type of security service, it will now be a year before that person will receive the security alarm and pendant. Furthermore, the 90% funding of the scheme has been reduced to €300. A hard-pressed pensioner who has to pay increased ESB and gas charges as well as increases for coal and other expenses now must find €150 to pay for this service. That is a disgrace.