Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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529. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding a senior alert alarm in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3813/14]

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 grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department.

The maximum grant per beneficiary for equipment is as follows: Monitored personal alarms (with pendant) - €250; Additional pendant/Re-installation - €50. The annual monitoring costs (generally between €60-€80 per annum) are borne by the beneficiary.

The person referred to in the question was approved for and granted funding under the Scheme for a monitored alarm unit in December 2013. I am advised that the application form indicates that the monitoring fee, payable to the alarm company by the beneficiary, is €66 per annum and is not a matter for my Department.