Cork Fine Gael T.D. Deirdre Clune has expressed her anger that the Government has cutback on a scheme that provides personal alarms to older people at a time when CSO’s figures indicate a surge in burglaries across the country.

Last year Cork was hit by a 50% drop in grants awarded under the Community Support for Older People Scheme. Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs’ figures (PDF 402KB) for 2009 showed Cork received just €252,782 compared to €509,165 in 2008.

The Scheme provides grants to help improve the security of vulnerable older people in their own homes. These grants fund monitored personal alarm systems, external security lighting, window & door security devices and monitored smoke detectors.

Last Week’s CSO report on Recorder Crime figures for 2009 (PDF 155KB) shows an increase in the number of burglaries. The number of burglaries jumped by 8.6% in 2009 compared with 2008, while the number of aggravated burglaries in the same period surged by 11.7%.

I am regularly contacted by older people, many living alone, who see the stories of people of their own age being robbed or attacked in their own homes and live in fear of this happening to them. Monitored personal alarms provide these older people not only a sense of security but also a method of seeking help if the worst does happen.

Government cutbacks are now targeting these people by denying them the peace of mind that personal monitored alarms and home security grants provided. Cutting Community Support for Older People just continues the Government’s campaign against the vulnerable in Irish society.