My Department has, since 1996, operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding for 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 under the scheme.
Since its commencement, a total of €32.5 million has been allocated to the scheme, which to the end of 2000 has assisted some 80,482 individuals. Some €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.
Funding payable under all schemes and programmes operated by my Department is subject to compliance with the defined selection and eligibility criteria for these schemes and programmes. While I appreciate that some older people may be reluctant to divulge PPSN – formally RSI number – or pension numbers, in order to administer this and other grant schemes which are funded from public money, the Department must ensure that all criteria are adhered to. It is a condition of the scheme that individuals must be aged 65 and over and the PPS number provides the mechanism for verifying that all proposed beneficiaries satisfy this eligibility criteria.
I assure the Deputy and voluntary groups participating in the scheme, that all applications received in my Department and the information contained therein, are regarded with the utmost confidentiality and is required for above administrative purposes only.