Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and acknowledge everything he is saying. I wish to provide additional information on the senior alert scheme that could be useful. A new befriending phone call initiative will support participants in the senior alert scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Pobal and Alone. The Department has utilised the senior alert scheme, which provides monitored alarms for older people in their homes, to enable the roll-out of the befriending initiative, which requires users to test their alarms to ensure they are still active. Monitoring providers or local community groups operating the senior alert scheme service then contact the users. When users have tested their alarms, they will be called back and asked if they would like to avail of the befriending call service through Alone. The number for Alone is given to the participants or their consent is sought for Alone to be provided with their contact details to be included in the befriending service. The aim of this initiative is to provide peace of mind and local assistance to older people who use the scheme. I urge Deputies to pass on the information that the senior alert scheme has an additional function whereby people who use it can be contacted and put in touch with a service that can help them in a more elaborate way.

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