Extra funds available for security alert systems for elderly

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has said extra state funds will be made available for security alert systems for elderly people following the abolition of the phone allowance in the budget.

The €114 annual allowance to almost 400,000 recipients, mostly pensioners, will be stopped in January and lead to savings of €44m, the coalition has said.

Concern has been raised by advocates for the elderly that phone landlines could be disconnected without the fund and this would then sever panic button systems in homes.