Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The senior alarm scheme is absolutely excellent. I do, though, have two concerns. One is that there is a need to undertake an awareness campaign. I am shocked at the number of older people who do not know about the scheme. I am glad the Minister of State said he has seen where it needs to be more accessible. Most of the older people I know have great faith in this alarm. It is like a little red button on your arm. I know so many people who have it. Again, as I said, there are also many people who are not aware of it.

The second aspect, and I would like this to be addressed in the awareness campaign, arises from confusion regarding landlines and mobiles. I say this because many people, and older people in particular, do not have landlines anymore. This is great. Many of them have mobile phones. I think, though, there was confusion about the two phones. Perhaps the Minister of State needs to clarify these issues. It is a great scheme and needs to be promoted more. In rural areas, like County Carlow, and other areas like that, this scheme has been greatly beneficial for the community.

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