Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

647. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocation for the senior alert scheme over each of the past ten years; the number of beneficiaries of the scheme per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42350/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of equipment i.e. a personal alarm and/or pendant, which is provided to the elderly person participating, while the associated monitoring and service charges are the responsibility of the individual participant.

The scheme commenced in 2010, replacing the Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The allocations provided from 2010 to 2017 and number of beneficiaries in each of these years are outlined in the following table. 

The scheme is administered on my Department's behalf by Pobal. Following a recent review of the scheme, a new version of the Seniors Alert Scheme will be launched shortly.