Personal security alarm approvals surge under Government scheme

There has been a surge in the number of older people granted personal security alarms under a Government scheme — even though there has been an underspend in recent years of the budget available for the devices.

A report by Pobal, the intermediary body for programmes funded by the Government and the EU, shows that last year 7,301 individuals over the age of 65 were approved under the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) and that 7,219 alarms were installed.

According to the Seniors Alert Scheme Progress Report, published in recent weeks by Pobal, €1,263,789.41 was paid to suppliers for equipment and installation costs and as of the end of 2016, a total of 568 organisations had been approved to apply for SAS supports on behalf of participants.