Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the budget for the senior alert scheme from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date 2012; his plans for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28548/12]

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the number of persons who have directly benefitted from the senior alert scheme from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date 2012. [28549/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.

My Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community-based grant scheme to improve the security of people over 65 years of age. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

The following table outlines the budget and the beneficiaries from 2007 to 2012 (to date).

Due to a sharp increase in demand for grant assistance under the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2011, the budget allocation of €2.35m was expended by the end of November 2011; accordingly, grant applications received in December 2011 were held pending finalisation of the budget allocation for 2012. A significant portion of the 2012 budget allocation (€2.35m) was expended early in 2012 as a result. The registration of additional Community and Voluntary groups who wish to administer the Scheme is also increasing applications for funding in 2012.

My Department has examined the operation of the scheme with the aim of ensuring its sustainability and an equitable distribution of funding country-wide. The following temporary changes were notified to groups on 26 March 2012, and took effect from 30 March 2012:

· Funding will only be available for the purchase and installation of socially monitored alarms at a maximum of €250 per alarm (Maximum funding of €50 is also available for additional pendants and reinstallations).

· Grants to Community and Voluntary groups will be capped at €30,000 per annum .

The aim of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to support independent living for those over 65 who live alone or who live with a person who is also over 65 years of age and of limited financial means . A key element of the Scheme is the provision of funding for a socially monitored alarm which supports this independence. Having regard to available funding in the current economic climate, the changes above will ensure that my Department can continue to maintain the Scheme in a viable way and provide the maximum number of socially monitored alarms to as many older persons as possible in 2012.