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

The seniors alert scheme provides funding for a free personal monitored alarm for people aged 65 or older and of limited means. The scheme is intended to support older people to live securely and independently in their homes. It is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by Pobal, with the support of local community and voluntary groups.

The Deputy will be aware of the good work undertaken on the employment support schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection. These schemes are targeted at long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups. There are currently more than 18,500 participants on community employment, 4,400 participants on Tús and slightly more than 2,800 participants on the RSS. Government investment in the schemes will amount to more than €500 million in 2023. These work schemes are typically sponsored by voluntary and community organisations wishing to benefit the local community. As the employers, these sponsoring organisations contract with the Department of Social Protection annually to provide participants with good-quality work experience. Eligible work placements under the schemes are identified by the scheme sponsors in response to an identified community need and provide development opportunities for participants. The projects and work undertaken must not displace or replace existing jobs.

These scheme sponsor groups provide valuable and dedicated services in communities throughout the country. Employment support scheme employees may support the community alert programme where it is identified as a community need by their local sponsor or partnership company and where the senior alert scheme is also operated by a community or voluntary group.

I am interested to hear the Deputy's suggestions on further enhancements to the scheme. It is important that we get word out about the scheme and I look forward to his input.

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