Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of funding available for personal and social monitored alarms; the procedures to avail of such funds; the level of funding available for monitoring and maintenance of such alarms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7572/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. The funding available in 2007 is €3 million.

This Scheme is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance and it 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 my Department for funding under the Scheme. Individual applications must be made through such organisations.

The Scheme provides maximum individual grants of €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms. Funding is also available under the Scheme for a range of other security measures for older people. Annual monitoring or maintenance fees associated with alarms are not covered under this Scheme. Where socially monitored alarms previously installed under this Scheme are broken or defective and are outside the guarantee period, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement. Full information in respect of this Scheme is available on my Department's website www.pobail.ie.