Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1153. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason his Department has excluded community development groups from installing social alarms under the new changes to the senior alert scheme in view of the fact that community development groups already have the responsibility for the administration of the scheme (details supplied). [46131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is operated on my Department's behalf by Pobal.
Following a review, a new version of the scheme was launched on 1st November. Local community groups continue to have a key role in the operation of this scheme, primarily by means of their on-going contact with the elderly people.
Following a tender process, Pobal entered into contracts with a number of suppliers for the provision of services on behalf of the Seniors Alert Scheme from 1st November. I understand that the tender process and sub-contracting arrangements for the new scheme do not preclude particular organisations, such as local community groups, from being named as sub-contractors under the scheme. Pobal have advised that their contract with suppliers allows suppliers to sub-contract at their discretion providing that the prescribed quality standards are met, the full requirements of the published tender and the suppliers response are adhered to, any additional conditions as set out in the published tender are also adhered to and subject to formal request from the supplier and final approval from Pobal.
