Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is considering a review of the charge levied on pensioners for a panic button in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12380/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of socially-monitored alarms to older people is managed by local community and voluntary groups, with the support of my Department under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

My Department provides a grant to community groups of up to €300 per individual per alarm in respect of the costs for the once-off installation of such alarms. I understand that this amount usually covers the full cost, or most of the cost, of the installation charge. Thereafter, ongoing monitoring costs are charged by the private commercial suppliers engaged by the community groups to monitor the alarms. I understand these costs are of the order of €60 to €80 per annum per individual.

My Department has no involvement in these ongoing monitoring costs. Given that the Scheme of Community Support for Older People has benefited as many as 100,000 older people, the cost of providing funding for such monitoring costs would be very considerable. It is my view that the available resources are better spent on continuing to improve the security of older people in their homes rather than paying for ongoing running costs.