Senior Alert Scheme u-turn welcomed

A MEMBER of Wicklow County Council has welcomed a government u-turn on proposed budget cuts to the Senior Alert Scheme.

Cllr. Pat Fitzgerald said that it will be a comfort to many older people who were extremely concerned about cut to the scheme providing personal alarms.

‘I warmly welcome this change of heart and am glad to see that the gov- ernment has bowed to political and public pressure. ‘It is abundantly clear that we have a serious burglary problem in this country at the moment. Every year we hear more stories of vulnerable households being targeted by criminal gangs in different communities, and more often than not the victims are older people and those living in rural and remote areas,' he said.