asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange to have a warning button to summon help provided in all homes for the aged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Care of the Aged.
24.
Housing authorities were requested some time ago to adopt the recommendations of the Inter-departmental Committee on the Care of the Aged, which include the provision in housing for elderly persons of an appropriate alarm system. I have recently called on them to initiate a new vigorous campaign for the care of the aged, jointly with health and welfare authorities. This campaign will include in its objectives the provision of schemes of sheltered housing in towns and villages throughout the country. It is my intention that all such schemes should include a suitable alarm system.
Capital grants are payable by my Department to assist in the provision of housing accommodation for the aged by religious and philanthropic bodies. The grants cover the provision of accommodation in the dwelling, or within the precincts thereof, of persons providing welfare or caretaker services for the elderly persons. In dwellings provided in the private sector, the provision of an alarm system is a matter primarily for the body providing the accommodation. The provision to be made in institutions under the control of health authorities would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health.