Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to offer senior alert scheme grants to qualified couples who live together who are aged over 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2105/13]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale regarding his decision to introduce changes to the criteria and operation of the seniors alert scheme; the consultation, if any, that was conducted with groups administering the scheme before the decision was made to unilaterally impose these changes; the rationale behind the decision to introduce a blanket restriction on households with two persons in view of the fact that a significant number of persons referred to this service by a Health Service Executive primary care team or a social worker, are couples where one is a carer or both have a pre-existing health condition or are at risk of a fall; if any discretion will be allowed in such circumstances in view of the fact the cost of the scheme is so small and the equipment can make a significant impact on persons lives. [2110/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.

The Seniors Alert Scheme provides grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of equipment to enable older persons, without sufficient means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. It is my intention that funding for the 2013 Seniors Alert Scheme will be similar to 2012 levels.

The qualifying criteria for the scheme will remain unchanged. Monitored Personal Alarms will continue to be supplied to persons over 65 living on their own or with other qualifying persons. Cohabiting couples who are both over 65 will be able to apply provided they meet the qualifying criteria. In the current economic climate, the Department’s priority is to continue to provide the maximum number of personal monitored alarms to as many older persons as possible in 2013.