Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
330. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding avenues available for elderly persons who require a personal alarm monitor, for persons who have had to discontinue a landline telephone service subsequent to the subsidy being discontinued in the latest budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28309/14]
View answerThe Seniors Alert Scheme aims to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The Scheme is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. Personal monitored alarms are now available using mobile technology and these alternative systems may also be funded at a similar rate when the sponsoring Community Group is satisfied that it meets the requirements of the beneficiary. It will be a matter for the sponsoring Community Group to satisfy itself that a system using mobile technology provides reliable coverage in its area. Mobile type devices currently on offer do not provide full mobile phone functionality and therefore are not a replacement for a telephone.
