Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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878. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation in 2025 for the senior alert scheme. [6286/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021. I am pleased to say that in recent years, demand for the Seniors Alert Scheme has continued, with over 18,200 participants approved for the Scheme in 2024.

The allocation to the scheme is €2.9m in 2025. As this is a demand led scheme, it will be kept under continuous review by myself and officials in my Department to ensure adequate funding can be made available to meet the requirements of all qualifying applicants. There is also provision under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2025 for funding to meet the additional and exceptional demands of the Scheme.