COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 09, 2009
MOTION NO.1
MOTION: Councillor S. Crowe
That this Council calls on the Manager to investigate the establishment of an outreach service in conjunction with NGO’s and State Agencies to inform Senior Citizens from the South Dublin County Council area of grants and other entitlements that are available to them and many administered by this Council.
REPORT:
A number of outreach services are currently available to senior citizens of South Dublin County Council details of which are categorized under a number of headings including housing, http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories
As a housing provider, South Dublin County Council responds to the accommodation needs of senior citizens through the construction, refurbishment and procurement (through Part V of the Planning and Development Act) 2000, as amended, of senior citizen specific accommodation.
In addition the Council, pursuant to the provisions of the Housing Applications Grant Scheme provides financial assistance to our elderly community in the form of
Housing Aid for Older People, The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme and the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme www.southdublin.ie (Housing Grants)
http://housing.southdublin.ie/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=70<emid=62
All elderly tenants of SDCC are prioritized under the Council’s Housing Response Maintenance Programme and the Council through its Estate Management Team provides assistance with garden maintenance, security enhancements as well as other support services.
The Council’s Differential Rents Scheme is also weighted in favour of senior citizens.
The Council through its Customer Care Centre provides information in relation to housing and general services and the Community Team work closely with the various groups advising on available Community Grants. In addition the CDB and Social Inclusion offices of the Council work with the groups on various activities such as the Tea Dances in 2008, the provision and installation of Smoke Alarms and were particularly involved in the Analysis of the Needs of Older People in North Clondalkin and Palmerstown launched in 2008 which provided a number of areas for further action such as Recreation,Transport, Health, Personal Development and Security.Interestingly the extensive participatory research and survey indicated that almost all of the survey participants are familiar with their entitilements and state benefits.
The Council will continue to actively work with all the relevant groups and seek to develop greater lines of communication and support.