Vol. 543 No. 3
55 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the contents of an article (details supplied) in respect of the operation of the community support for older people scheme which gives grants to voluntary or community groups to pay for alarms for elderly people. [26880/01]
154 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the concerns raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General regarding the dominance of a Dublin-based charity in the provision of security systems to the elderly; and the way in which these concerns are being addressed. [27055/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 154 together.
My Department has since 1996 operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. This funding is provided by way of grant aid to voluntary groups and organisations who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance. Voluntary or community-based groups seeking funding under the scheme must satisfy the defined eligibility criteria, comply with Government tax clearance procedures and provide satisfactory accounts in respect of previously paid grants. I am anxious that this scheme continues to operate in a way that benefits the most vulnerable older people in our society. With this in mind my Department keeps the administrative procedures applying to the scheme under review and makes amendments as appropriate. My Department also monitors the scheme on an ongoing basis to ensure that those organisations receiving funding under the scheme are complying with all the scheme regulations and requirements. Officials of my Department are in contact with the particular group and I understand a meeting is being arranged to discuss the various issues that have been raised.
