Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1749. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the senior's alert scheme; when a decision will be made on the inclusion for new technology for the next iteration scheme being considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1328/25]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Senior Alert Scheme 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. The Dormant Accounts Fund helps to support this scheme given the level of demand for it.

Since the scheme was launched in 2015, in excess of 140,000 participants have been approved for the alarms, including over 18,200 during 2024.

The current scheme came into effect in September 2021 and, along with the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements, introduced a new key feature in the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web-based connections.

Officials in my Department will continue to consider the potential role of the SAS as part of the increased use of assistive technologies aimed at supporting people to continue to live independently within their communities. Consideration of new and developing technologies to be incorporated into the scheme is ongoing, with a view to a new iteration of the scheme being launched towards the end of 2025.