The withdrawal of a support scheme for older people in the Budget has drawn condemnation today.
In a statement yesterday, John Curran, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, announced the suspension of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People, which provides funding for the installation of personal monitored alarms and items of home security, such as door and window locks, to allow older people to live independently.
“Given the urgent action needed to restore stability to the public finances and the requirement to prioritise funding to restore economic activity and employment, I regret that I have had to make some tough decisions,” Mr Curran, said adding he hoped to restore supports when funding became available.
But Age Action today said it was shocked at the move and called for the immediate restoration of funding, which also finances home helps and meals on wheels.
“These services give older people a sense of security in their own homes,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “These are among the most vulnerable people in communities. It is not acceptable that the modest funding provided for this crucial service should not be seen as a priority in the current climate.”
"Age Action believes the decision to suspend funding is a major mistake which will undermine the work of community groups working to support vulnerable older people, and create uncertainty for thousands of older people currently on waiting lists for the scheme," Mr Timmins said.
According to Age Action, the scheme paid out €4.3 million in grants to groups last year, and €638,000 so far this year.
Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesman on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs, also criticised the withdrawal of home security supports.
“Approximately 10,000 elderly people receive supports under this scheme each year, allowing elderly people to continue to live independently in their homes. This scheme has proved a vital source of peace of mind for older people living alone, who need additional security," Mr Ring said.
“Fianna Fáil has been very careful to spin the idea that the most vulnerable have been protected in this Budget but this is one of many cuts that will in fact do just the opposite, abandoning the most indefensible in society. Abolishing this scheme will be a source of concern to those who don’t have neighbours close by and who cannot afford to install alarms in their homes."
“Grants for locally based community groups and the Gaeltacht Housing Scheme have also been done away with. It is has never been more clear that the future of rural Ireland does not feature as a priority for this Government,” the Fine Gael TD said.
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament said it was dismayed to hear of the scheme's suspension amid what it said were increasing attacks on older people.
In a statement, the group said: "Given the recent increase in robberies around the country from which it would appear that older people’s homes are being targeted by ruthless gangs the suspension of this grant is all the more regrettable and will cause many older people and their families’ unnecessary stress."
It is believed the department has between 50 and 60 applications that have yet to be honoured, the organisation added.
