Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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709. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the manner in which the seniors alert scheme is delivered, in particular if local community alert groups will still be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34165/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing funding for the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The monitoring costs (generally between €60 - €80 per annum) are not funded under the Scheme and are borne by the beneficiary.

The scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups; this is, and will continue to be, a central and essential element of the Scheme.

From September 2015, Pobal have commenced operating the scheme on behalf of my Department. Pobal’s service for the Scheme includes establishing regional panels of suppliers of funded equipment - base units, which can be landline or GSM, and pendants - and have developed an online application process for the provision of approved equipment. These changes will reduce the administrative burden for the many hundreds of community and voluntary groups registered under the Scheme, who provide an excellent service for the elderly. It will enable these groups to focus on the main purpose of the Scheme, namely to support and to engage with the elderly in the local community.