Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
130. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an expanded range of technologies will be considered for inclusion in the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/25]
View answer434. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the senior alerts scheme; the number of schemes operating in the country; the number of applications for the past three years; if there are plans to change or enhance the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14930/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 434 together.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme for the purchase, via a registered community based-organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant.
Pobal has administered the scheme on behalf of my Department since 2015, with over 140,000 approved participants since then. I am pleased to say that in recent years, demand for the Seniors Alert Scheme has continued, with over 18,200 new participants approved for the Scheme in 2024. There are 629 active approved community organisations involved in the scheme.
The number of approved participants over the past three years are shown in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of approved participants |
|
2024 |
18,232 |
|
2023 |
17,032 |
|
2022 |
15,577 |
The current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021 and introduced a new key feature in the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web based connections.
The scheme has been using multi-network SIMs since September 2021 which ensures the devices can use the network with the strongest signal in the vicinity when the alarm is raised. Also, since 2021, the devices installed provide between 24 and 48 hours battery life to ensure that they can still operate during localised power cuts.
Officials in my department are currently working with Pobal in advance of a new iteration of the scheme, which will take account of new and developing technologies. This will ensure that emerging developments in the sector can be incorporated into the scheme going forward and that the scheme meets the needs of participants for many years to come.
