Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1341. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of the budget allocation for the senior alert scheme that has been spent in the first ten months of 2024; and if she will provide correspondence figures for the same period in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [45182/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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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 for the purchase by a registered community based-organisation of a personal alarm or pendant. The scheme is administered by Pobal with the support of local community and voluntary groups.

The annual budget for the scheme for years 2022, 2023 and 2024 was €2.3m with up to an additional €2.7m available from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

As this is a demand-led scheme, it is kept under continuous review by my Department to ensure adequate funding is available to meet the requirements of all qualifying applicants.

A provisional figure for the Seniors Alert Scheme spend to end October 2024 has been provided in the table. This is based on figures available on 1 November 2024 and may be subject to minor changes. It is expected that the % of budget spend at end October 2024 will be broadly consistent with previous years.

*This figure is provisional.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1342. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the outdoor recreation application by a group (details supplied). [45238/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Departmental records indicate that a funding application received in 2023 from Westmeath County Council and involving the named Group, was considered by my Department by under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) rather than the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

TVRS was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects across Ireland.

The 2023/24 TVRS scheme focussed on town centre economic and social vibrancy which included the development of recreational spaces/amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment and to increase footfall for local businesses.

Following an assessment of applications received, in April of this year I announced funding of €20.4 million for 82 successful project. I can confirm that Westmeath County Council was successful in securing funding of over €506,000 for 3 projects. This included funding for a project involving the named Group which was allocated €214,200 for car park enhancements and additional facilities at the Streamstown 'Old Rail Trail' amenity together with adult exercise equipment. Funding is available for activity undertaken before the end contract date of October 31st 2025.

A full list of the approved projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme can be viewed on my Department’s website.