THE Irish Senior Citizens Parliament has criticised the government's "budget hypocrisy" after it received a flood of calls in recent days from elderly people who are frightened about their safety.

The calls came after the government's decision last week to suspend the scheme of community support for older people.

The scheme provided grants given through community organisations for social alarms and small security extras such as chain locks, window locks and outside security lighting.

"At a time when attacks on older people are increasing, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament is dismayed to learn that the scheme has been suspended," said a statement.

Former TD Paudge Connolly, who is the national development officer with the parliament said, "The government said before the budget they were not going to attack the vulnerable, so it is hypocrisy to say that after they took away this scheme. I don't know what sort of person could sit back with the stroke of a pen and take this away from the most vulnerable section of society."