Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring. It is great to see him because he is always positive and always appears personally to tell the good news.

I acknowledge the work of his Department and its excellent website, from which I glean more information than any other Department's website. It is on the ball, active and covers real issues of community engagement and community supports, particularly rural but also urban, which is never missed by the Department. It is important that we support people, not least those who are vulnerable, to remain in their homes, and any supports that feed in to securing and allowing people to stay in their homes and live there are vital. The seniors alert scheme, also known as the personal emergency response scheme, offers fast and easy ways for both elderly and vulnerable people to access important health services and provides support during an emergency for those who live alone. Whether the emergency is a medical issue, a fall, a fire or merely feeling vulnerable at home, these people have the capacity and ability to use the seniors alert scheme, which is fantastic.

As I said, it supports people staying in their communities and is beneficial for rural and urban areas. Are there additional resources for the scheme or plans to roll it out for more people who want this scheme, which is simple and great technology? Will the Minister outline any further roll-outs of the scheme and, more importantly, will he give reassurance that there are sufficient funds for people to avail of the scheme? How should people tap into the various schemes available? It is a good scheme and I thank the Minister for making a personal appearance.