Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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838. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his view on the accessibility, particularly for elderly persons living alone in rural locations, for funding for the provision of the fitting of personal alarms in the interest of their safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38037/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing assistance through registered community groups who can demonstrate a track record of working with or providing services to older people within their communities. Individuals may also contact my Department directly with regard to the Scheme and will be referred to the group closest to their area. Irrespective of location, all eligible beneficiaries have equal access to the funding available under the Scheme.

The 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. The funding allocated to the Scheme in 2013 is €2.35m.