Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
32. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to set out the financial allocations in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for the seniors alert scheme; the take-up in respect of the scheme since 2016; the changes made to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra38. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the details of the new version of the seniors alert scheme; the way in which it can be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy question has been grouped with a question tabled by Deputy Fitzpatrick. The seniors alert scheme is good and popular scheme, especially among those living in rural areas and people living alone or in isolation. Can the Minister outline the details of the new seniors alert scheme coming into play?
Several questions have been skipped so we will give the Minister an opportunity to prepare the answer.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 38 together.
I thank the Deputies for posing these questions. I launched a new seniors alert scheme that took effect on 1 November 2017. A successful nationwide public awareness campaign aimed at older people and their extended families and friends who may not have been aware of the scheme was rolled out.
The key features of the new scheme include: a self-declaration of limited means for eligibility; a person no longer has to be living alone to qualify; free monitoring of the alarm service for the first year; and an increase in administrative payments to community groups involved in rolling out the scheme.
I am pleased to report that demand for the new scheme has been unprecedented. Applications are up 70% on previous years. Spending in 2017 amounted to almost €2.7 million, compared to the €1.8 million spent in 2016. During 2017, over 12,600 applications were approved and more than 10,100 installations were completed. I expect this increased level of demand to continue in 2018.
I encourage anyone who is interested in the seniors alert scheme to contact Pobal, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, for contact details of the registered community organisation operating in each area.
I thank the Minister for the positive news on the improvements to the seniors alert scheme. The scheme is very important. In light of its popularity, will the Minister focus on further take-up of the scheme? It still has more potential. The fact that it is free for the first year is an important element. How are the groups that administer the scheme chosen by Pobal? Will it be open to other groups in the future? Also, in light of changing technology, is the link with the landline still locked in? If there was a move away from the landline more people might be able to use the scheme in the future. Could that be considered as well?
I was really pleased by how the scheme worked last year. It is a scheme for the most vulnerable in society, people living in rural areas who were frightened in their own homes. I put the funding in place to ensure that the scheme would work. The Deputy asked about Pobal. It asked people to make applications and it dealt with that process. I did not get involved in it. I made sure the funding was provided. In fact, I had to allocate a further €400,000 last year for the scheme. It is unbelievable how people bought into it. We carried out serious advertising both nationally and locally, including on local radio stations. We asked people to try to help people living alone to participate in the scheme. There was a tremendous result in terms of the number of people who drew down the scheme. There were 12,600 applications and 10,100 installations. I am now considering what other things we can do under the scheme. The Deputy is aware of the pendant, but technology is changing every day with new and modern ways of doing things being introduced. I hope we will be able to examine ways and means of updating the scheme.
I thank the Minister for that. The area that would allow it to grow further is if there is technology outside the landline. That is definitely worth investigating and I am glad it is being considered. In general, however, I welcome the fact that the number of applications increased by 70%. The increase in funding from €1.8 million to €2.7 million in a year is phenomenal. I look forward to seeing that growth continuing for this vital scheme for people.
Some 643 people in Louth and over 60,000 nationwide have received a free personal alarm under the seniors alert scheme since 2015. These senior citizens have peace of mind in their homes and a feeling of security. What was the financial allocation for 2016 and 2017 and to date in 2018 for the scheme? What has the take-up been since the scheme was introduced in 2016 and what changes have been made to the scheme?
There is an allocation of €2.7 million for the scheme this year. I will monitor the scheme during the year and if demand is outpacing the funding available, I will examine ways of increasing the funding. Some of the changes we made to the scheme helped. People no longer have to be living alone, there is free monitoring for the first year and there is self declaration of limited means. I made it easier for people to use the scheme. I am happy that the scheme is working. It gives people peace of mind. I must compliment Pobal. It conducted roadshows in communities throughout the country and the communities bought into it. The scheme is working very well.
