Fund for panic alarm phone costs to be considered

The elderly may be granted a special security allowance to pay for telephone costs linked to panic alarms following concerns raised about cuts in the budget.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan told TDs in a private Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting last night that the Department of Environment would look at a special fund following the abolition of the phone allowance.

His comments came after Longford Westmeath TD James Bannon raised the matter voicing concerns for the safety of the elderly in rural areas.