The History of TASK Community Care
From a small security business established in Dublin more than 50 years ago to a specialist provider of telecare, personal alarms and 24-hour monitoring.
TASK's journey has been shaped by practical technology, long-standing partnerships and a simple objective: helping people feel safer and more independent in their own homes and communities.
Five decades of development
The technology has changed considerably, but many of the ideas behind modern telecare can be traced back to TASK's earliest work with wireless alarms and community safety.
TASK is established in Dublin
Gerard Bunting established TASK in 1974. The business initially specialised in security systems, with much of its early work focused on intruder alarm installation.
At the time, electronic security was still a relatively specialised industry, with only a small number of companies carrying out similar work in Dublin.
Wireless Audible Warning Units
TASK expanded into the manufacture of what were known as Audible Warning Units.
These systems used wireless communication, allowing a transmitter in one location to activate an alert on a receiver elsewhere, an early example of the type of remote alarm technology that would later become central to telecare.
The technology was used in a range of community safety applications, including by An Garda Síochána.
Moving into health & community care
Occupational Therapists began identifying ways in which TASK's wireless alarm technology could support people in hospital, rehabilitation and community settings.
This led to collaboration with organisations including the National Rehabilitation Board and the Occupational Therapy Department at Dublin City Hospital, helping move TASK increasingly into health, independence and community-support technology.
TASK begins telecare monitoring
In 1991 TASK moved into what would now be recognised as telecare monitoring, operating the service from its Dublin premises.
A Dublin City Council and Health Board scheme had been established to provide social alarms for vulnerable older people. Alarm calls were initially handled by Dublin Fire Authority.
When the Fire Authority subsequently ceased answering the calls, TASK was asked to assume the monitoring role. This became a major step in the development of TASK Community Care and its long-term focus on monitored personal alarms.
TASK Connect launches in Northern Ireland
In 2023 the TASK Community Care Group expanded its UK presence with the launch of its fully owned subsidiary, TASK Connect, based in Lurgan, Northern Ireland.
TASK Connect brought the group's experience in monitored personal alarms and GPS safety technology to a dedicated Northern Ireland operation, including online ordering and customer support for UK customers.
Continuing to develop telecare
Today TASK's services include monitored home personal alarms, GPS safety devices, automatic alerts, telecare peripherals and professional monitoring services.
The equipment has evolved from early wireless transmitters to digital, mobile and GPS-connected technology, but the purpose remains familiar: helping people remain safer, connected and independent.
Technology changes. The reason for using it does not.
There is a clear connection between TASK's early wireless warning units and today's monitored telecare systems. Both are designed around the same basic idea: allowing someone to signal that help is needed and connecting that alert to another person who can respond.
Practical technology
From early radio transmitters to digital, mobile-network and GPS devices, TASK has continued to adapt its technology as communications have evolved.
Professional monitoring
Monitoring became a core part of TASK's work in 1991 and remains central to the personal alarm services provided today.
Supporting independence
The focus remains on providing practical support that can help people live with greater confidence at home and in the community.
More than 50 years of experience behind today's service
TASK Connect continues the TASK Community Care story from its base in Lurgan, providing monitored personal alarms, GPS safety devices and telecare services for customers across the UK.