Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Why is the Minister still using the title "Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs" considering that the other Department titles have been changed? Perhaps the Minister will change it in his own good time.

This is a wonderful scheme and should be continued. With regard to my question, houses with alarms have a sign on the outside stating there is an alarm installed therein. This, in itself, deters intruders, who see immediately that there is a link between the house and a Garda station. Is it possible that each senior citizen with a personal alarm could be given a sign to be put on the side of his or her house to show it is guarded by a personal alarm system. It is certainly preventive and should be considered.

The Minister stated all the existing co-ordinators will be in the new system. Since many of them are based in urban areas, I am concerned about coverage in rural areas such as my own. Is there a mechanism to address this? Perhaps there is in the Minister's new proposal.

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