Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

Both the Minister and I are acutely aware of that. We have been anxious to ensure the distress many people felt is not replicated. That is why the review is taking place. There has been extensive engagement by our Department, and by the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, with the telecom companies. As part of that review alternative technologies are being examined and considered, because the Deputy is right. Any iteration of the scheme must take technological advances into account. Deputy Calleary and I are acutely aware. Both he and Deputy Keogh come from County Mayo, which was badly affected by Storm Éowyn. The key point is that the seniors alert scheme gives security to older and more vulnerable people at a critical time, especially in storms. If that confidence is gone, we will work with whoever to ensure we do not lose that important connectivity. Obviously, the storm has an effect on the cables and networks and that is a different matter, but the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, is engaging with the telecom companies on that.

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