Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
514. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35811/14]
View answerMy Department manages the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages 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.
My Department undertook to consider new approaches to the Seniors Alert Scheme in 2014 and from this it was recommended that the scheme be managed by Pobal. Pobal will provide management and administrative services for the Seniors Alert Scheme with effect from 1 January 2015. This will include a national tender for the supply and installation of personal monitored alarms. A panel of regional suppliers will be contracted to provide the equipment and monitoring services within specific regional areas whilst maintaining the benefits of local service provision. This will reduce the administrative burden for over 500 local community and voluntary groups registered under the Scheme and it will enable the groups to focus their efforts on supporting vulnerable older people in our communities.
