Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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783. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review the stringent rules involved in allocating panic alarms (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12517/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I refer the Deputy to my responses on the 8 February 2022 (q. 848) and 17 February 2022 (q. 53) respectively. The position outlined regarding the Seniors Alert Scheme remains unchanged.

My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them 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 a personal alarm or pendant. 

Following a review, an updated version of the scheme came into effect in November 2017. A number of changes were introduced at this time, including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements. However, eligibility for the scheme remains confined to those aged 65 or older.  

The current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021 and continues to incorporate these provisions, as well as introducing a new key feature in the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web based connections.