I took this scheme on board last year because, as the Deputy notes, we had many problems in the countryside, especially with criminal gangs who were targeting elderly people. People must be safe in their homes.
The initial take-up was not large. In 2015, 1,321 took up the scheme. In 2016, it was 7,301 and, because of the Department's campaign which targeted local radio and newspapers and informed every Deputy in the House, 12,609 people took up the scheme last year. As of the end of March, 6,109 people have signed up this year. The campaign worked very well. I want to see people being able to stay in their homes and live there without being frightened. This is a good scheme, and if anyone knows anybody who wants to take it up, they should contact Pobal or the community groups which are dealing with it. The scheme has worked well and I may have to find extra funding for it this year, which shows how well it worked.