Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 38 together.

I thank the Deputies for posing these questions. I launched a new seniors alert scheme that took effect on 1 November 2017. A successful nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at older people and their extended families and friends who may not have been aware of the scheme was rolled out.

The key features of the new scheme include: a self-declaration of limited means for eligibility; a person no longer has to be living alone to qualify; free monitoring of the alarm service for the first year; and an increase in administrative payments to community groups involved in rolling out the scheme.

I am pleased to report that demand for the new scheme has been unprecedented. Applications are up 70% on previous years. Spending in 2017 amounted to almost €2.7 million, compared to the €1.8 million spent in 2016. During 2017, over 12,600 applications were approved and more than 10,100 installations were completed. I expect this increased level of demand to continue in 2018.

I encourage anyone who is interested in the seniors alert scheme to contact Pobal, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, for contact details of the registered community organisation operating in each area.

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