SOUTHSIDE pensioners have reacted angrily to cutbacks in the supply of lifesaving security equipment, such as smoke alarms, for over 65s on limited incomes.
The Sallynoggin Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (SNWS) has written to Environment Minister Phil Hogan to express its anger about the fact that his department is limiting the amount of security equipment it supplies to senior citizens.
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government announced recently that it will have to limit the amount of equipment it makes available to the Senior Alert Scheme following unprecedented demand.
The cuts will mean that thousands of pensioners over the age of 65 with limited incomes will not be supplied with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or security lights.
Provision of the items has now been reduced to the supply of socially monitored alarms with a cap of
?¬30,000 per local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
In a letter to Minister Hogan, the SNWS called for further funding to be made available to satisfy demand for the scheme. They also called on the minister to reinstate the full complement of equipment it claims is essential to ensure the safety of older people in its community.
The letter notes that the scope of the scheme has been gradually reduced since 2009 when several items of equipment including chain and bolt locks were removed.
It also claimed there was a developing crisis with the funding of the scheme which needed to be addressed.
“The temporary suspension of monitored security lights and carbon monoxide and smoke alarms highlights the need to address the shortfall in funding for the scheme,
? the letter states.
“This scheme must continue to be given the resources required so that it can remain effective in protecting those who need help the most.
?
A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment explained that the funding available for the scheme is the same for 2012 as it was last year.
However, the spokesperson noted that due to an unprecedented rise in demand for the equipment it had become necessary to temporarily amend the scheme and focus the spending of current resources on the monitored alarms only.
The spokesperson said the department would aim to ensure that the maximum possible number of these alarms would be made available to those elderly people who qualify for the scheme this year.
“The operation of the scheme will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and should circumstances permit, there may be scope to reinstate some of the other items which had previously been available,
? he added.