Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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145. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a scheme will be put in place where persons would get grant aid to replace the monitoring alarm systems damaged during the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/14]

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 Scheme does not normally provide for replacement alarm systems; however, funding has been provided for some replacements to beneficiaries this winter, where the systems have been destroyed by lightning. The allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme for 2014 is €2.35million which is sufficient to meet current demand levels for this important scheme, including replacement of alarms in exceptional circumstances.