Pobal Awards €3.85 Million Telecare-Senior Alerts Scheme Modification Contract

Pobal has awarded a €3.85 million modification to the existing Telecare-Senior Alerts Scheme framework, extending the contract for up to 12 months to ensure continuity of critical social support services. The modification covers four lots across Ireland and involves two incumbent suppliers.

Introduction

Pobal operates a multi-lot framework arrangement for the supply, installation and monitoring of telecare equipment under the Seniors Alert Scheme. The original procurement was conducted through an EU-wide competition and established a framework for the provision of telecare equipment and monitoring services.

A requirement has arisen to modify the duration and value of the current arrangement due to delays in the replacement procurement process. The modification increases the maximum framework value by €3.85 million, representing approximately nineteen percent of the original framework value of €20.4 million.

This modification ensures that a critical social support service continues without interruption pending the completion of a replacement procurement.

Why This Modification Matters

This modification ensures the continuation of a vital social support service for older people across Ireland.

This modification matters because it:

• Ensures service continuity: Prevents interruption to telecare services for seniors
• Maintains critical social support: Seniors Alert Scheme continues without gap
• Significant value: €3.85 million modification
• Four lots: Dublin, Leinster (excl. Dublin), Munster, Ulster-Connacht
• Two suppliers: Task Ltd and Care Direct 24-7 Ltd
• Unforeseen circumstances: Delays in replacement procurement
• Legal basis: Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU

Contract Timeline

• Original framework awarded: 2021 (Notice 280368-2020)
• Original expiry date: 31 August 2026
• Modification notice published: 21 August 2026 (OJ S 161/2026)
• Modification concluded: 17 August 2026
• Extension starts: 1 September 2026
• Initial extension period: 6 months (to 28 February 2027)
• Optional additional extension: Up to 6 months (to 31 August 2027)

Modification Overview

Pobal conducted an open procedure for the original procurement. This modification extends the existing framework agreement without reopening competition, in accordance with Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Four lots: Dublin, Leinster (excl. Dublin), Munster, Ulster-Connacht
• Total modification value: €3,850,000
• New maximum framework value: €24,250,000
• Extension period: 6 months + optional 6 months
• Suppliers: Two incumbent suppliers retained
• Legal basis: Article 72(1)(c)(i), Directive 2014/24/EU
• Location: Various locations throughout Ireland

Key Modification Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Pobal
Contract subject	Supply, installation and monitoring of telecare equipment (CPV 79711000)
Procedure type	Open (original); Modification without reopening competition
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU, Article 72(1)(c)(i)
Original framework value (EUR)	€20,400,000.00
Modification value (EUR)	€3,850,000.00
New maximum framework value (EUR)	€24,250,000.00
Number of lots	4
Extension period	6 months + optional 6 months
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Award criteria	Cost only (basis for extension)
Location	Various locations throughout Ireland

Modification Scope

The modification extends the existing framework agreement for the supply, installation and monitoring of telecare equipment under the Seniors Alert Scheme across four lots.

Lots and Increases

Lot	Description	Increase (€)
1	Dublin	500,000
2	Munster	1,750,000
3	Leinster (excluding Dublin)	350,000
4	Ulster-Connacht	1,250,000

About the Contracting Authority

Pobal is an Irish body governed by public law, operating in the social protection sector. It manages various social programmes on behalf of the Irish Government, including the Seniors Alert Scheme, which provides telecare equipment to older people living in Ireland.

About the Winning Suppliers

Two incumbent suppliers have been retained under this modification:

• Trident Associated Securities Kommunications Limited (Task Ltd) – Medium-sized enterprise, based in Stamullen, County Meath, Ireland. Provides telecare and security solutions.
• Care Direct 24-7 Ltd – Medium-sized enterprise, based in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, United Kingdom. Provides telecare and alarm monitoring services.

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: The original procurement used an open procedure. This modification is made without reopening competition under Article 72(1)(c)(i).
• Reason for modification: Delays in the replacement procurement process created a significant risk of service interruption.
• Legal basis: Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU – unforeseen circumstances.
• Value increase: 19% of the original framework value (€3.85 million of €20.4 million).
• Supplier continuity: Both incumbent suppliers retained to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Duration: Six-month extension with an optional additional six months.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• No framework agreement renewal – this is a modification of an existing framework.
• The modification does not alter the overall nature of the framework.
• Two tenders were received in the original competition.
• Both winners are medium-sized enterprises.
• No subcontracting was declared by either winner.
• Disputes or review requests fall to the High Court of Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The telecare and alarm monitoring market in Ireland is characterised by a small number of specialist providers delivering critical services to older people. The Seniors Alert Scheme is a key Government initiative supporting independent living for seniors.

Key trends in this market include:

• Ageing population: Growing demand for telecare services
• Technology integration: Smart home and IoT integration
• Government support: Strong public funding for social care
• Service continuity: Critical to avoid gaps in coverage
• Limited suppliers: Specialist market with few providers

Economic Significance

At €3.85 million, this modification represents a significant investment in Ireland's social care infrastructure. The modification will:

• Ensure service continuity: No gap in telecare services for seniors
• Support independent living: Enable older people to remain at home safely
• Maintain employment: Preserve jobs at the two supplier companies
• Bridge to successor: Provide time to complete the replacement procurement

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the replacement procurement currently underway, future opportunities include:

• Replacement framework: The successor arrangement for the Seniors Alert Scheme
• Expanded scope: Potential additional services or technology upgrades
• Other social care programmes: Similar schemes under Pobal or Department of Rural and Community Development
• EU funding: Potential future EU-funded social care projects

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this modification is awarded, future opportunities exist for telecare providers:

• Replacement procurement: The successor arrangement currently being procured
• Subcontracting: Potential subcontracting opportunities under the new framework
• Technology upgrades: Supply of advanced telecare equipment
• Other Irish social programmes: Similar schemes in other Government departments

What Businesses Should Watch

• Replacement procurement for the Seniors Alert Scheme
• Pobal's future procurement notices
• Department of Rural and Community Development tenders
• Irish Government social care initiatives
• Telecare and alarm monitoring technology trends

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This modification is a notable example of using Article 72(1)(c)(i) to address unforeseen circumstances. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €3.85 million modification across four lots
• Service continuity: Critical social support service maintained
• Legal basis: Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU
• Supplier retention: Both incumbent suppliers retained
• Regional coverage: All four regions of Ireland covered

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Service reliability: Incumbent suppliers benefit from continuity
• Relationship management: Strong relationships with contracting authorities
• Technical capability: Ability to deliver critical social care services
• Regional coverage: Ability to serve multiple regions

Supplier Takeaways

• Build strong relationships with social care contracting authorities
• Develop technical capability in telecare and alarm monitoring
• Ensure service reliability and continuity
• Prepare for the replacement procurement process
• Monitor Pobal for future social care tenders
• Consider ability to serve multiple regions across Ireland

Key Takeaways

• Pobal modified the Telecare-Senior Alerts Scheme framework by €3.85 million
• Four lots covering all regions of Ireland
• Two incumbent suppliers retained: Task Ltd and Care Direct 24-7 Ltd
• Extension: 6 months + optional 6 months
• Legal basis: Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU
• Reason: Delays in replacement procurement
• Original framework value: €20.4 million
• New maximum framework value: €24.25 million

Conclusion

This modification of the Telecare-Senior Alerts Scheme framework demonstrates the importance of ensuring continuity in critical social support services. By extending the existing framework by up to 12 months and increasing its value by €3.85 million, Pobal ensures that older people across Ireland continue to benefit from telecare services without interruption.

The use of Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU reflects the unforeseen circumstances created by delays in the replacement procurement process. The modification does not alter the overall nature of the framework and provides the necessary bridge to the successor arrangement.

As social care needs continue to grow, similar procurement and modification opportunities will arise in this sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Pobal?

Ans: An Irish body governed by public law, operating in the social protection sector, managing various social programmes including the Seniors Alert Scheme.

Q: What is the value of the modification?

Ans: €3,850,000.

Q: Who are the suppliers?

Ans: Trident Associated Securities Kommunications Limited (Task Ltd) and Care Direct 24-7 Ltd.

Q: What is being provided?

Ans: Supply, installation and monitoring of telecare equipment under the Seniors Alert Scheme.

Q: What was the legal basis for the modification?

Ans: Article 72(1)(c)(i) of Directive 2014/24/EU – unforeseen circumstances.

Q: How long is the extension?

Ans: 6 months, with an optional additional 6 months.

Q: How many lots are there?

Ans: Four lots – Dublin, Leinster (excl. Dublin), Munster, Ulster-Connacht.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Source: EU Official Journal, Modification Award Notice 580845-2026, OJ S 161/2026, published 21 August 2026.