Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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1131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if financial assistance or grants are available to elderly persons who wish to install a landline for the purpose of having an alarm in their house [37641/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The provision of fixed line electronic communications networks connections is undertaken on a commercial basis by competing networks providers. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has intervened in the market and designated eir as a universal service provider of basic electronic communications connections at any fixed location, if requested. Eir is also obliged to provide such connections at an averaged connection charge, currently €121.93 (inclusive of VAT), if the total connection costs do not exceed €7,000 in any individual case.

Neither my Department nor ComReg has any further mechanisms to assist potential customers to meet the connection costs or ongoing line rental charges. I am aware however that other Departments may have support schemes which are designed to contribute to the cost of installing alarms or operational costs; these include the Seniors Alert Scheme and the Community Alert Programme.