James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be made available to provide personal alarms and safety devices to all elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10141/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme of community support for older people encourages and assists local support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the scheme can be provided for window locks, door locks and door chains designed to strengthen points of entry to the dwelling; for smoke alarms; for security lighting; and for the once-off cost of installing socially monitored personal alarm systems. I recently announced the 2005 scheme open for applications.

The scheme is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country with support provided by my Department. Any local voluntary or community-based organisation especially those working with or providing support for older people can apply to the Department for funding under the scheme. Applications are only open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance under this scheme.