Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

It is a small amount of money when one considers the security it has provided to 10,000 or 12,000 elderly people. Older devices were recycled three or four times, but I am led to believe that newer devices have ten-year warrantees. In this light, they can be recycled several times.

The amount of money at stake is small. I am shocked by the Government in this regard. Many people who live on their own, particularly in rural areas, were given a great sense of security by devices like the telephone and the device that could be worn around the neck. It also gave their family members security, as they would leave knowing they could receive a telephone call at short notice in the event of an emergency.

I do not know whether north County Tipperary has a hub town, but there are two in County Mayo, namely, Castlebar and Ballina. Since funding from the new Leader programme does not apply to hub towns, it cannot give money to meals on wheels programmes or other projects for the elderly. This is a bit petty. There is no point in a town having hub status if it is unable to qualify for grants or decentralisation. Hub towns are now dormitories, with houses, houses and more houses. The Minister of State is tied into this Government policy, but she should consider the matter.

I received a letter from Castlebar Voluntary Social Services, which is providing good services in terms of meals on wheels and buses. However, the majority of those to whom it is providing these services are located up to ten miles outside the town. It is the same for all hub towns, yet they do not qualify for Leader funding. This is another attack on services for the elderly and should be brought to the attention of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, or which ever Minister has responsibility for this aspect of Leader funding. The situation should revert to the status quo because the organisation in question is providing a rural service within a radius of ten miles of Castlebar.

I am disappointed by the news that the support and security device schemes have been withdrawn. Given the small amount of money involved and with the aim of retaining security for those who have had it in recent years, I hope the Government reintroduces the schemes. Since the Government is highlighting something on the one hand in this debate and withdrawing it on the other, it should consider the two issues I have outlined.