Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is an overall number in terms of the people who have benefitted from the seniors alert scheme since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14379/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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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, via a registered community based-organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant. Pobal has administered the scheme on behalf of my Department since 2015. The current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021 and introduced a new key feature - the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web based connections.

The total number of participants in the scheme since 2015 to the end of 2024 is 141,352. I am pleased to say that in recent years, demand for the Seniors Alert Scheme has continued, with over 18,200 new participants approved for the Scheme in 2024.

€2.9m from my Department has been allocated to the Seniors Alert Scheme 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.

Officials in my department are currently working with Pobal in advance of a new iteration of the scheme, which will take account of technological advancements and changes.