Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

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 and €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.

The scheme was advertised in the relevant years as follows:

1999
National Papers	9 June 1999
Provincial Papers	10 June 1999
2000
National Papers	14 April 2000
Provincial Papers	10 April 2000
2001
National Papers	20 March 2001
Provincial Papers	23 March 2001

The 2001 closing date for receipt of applications was set at 27 April 2001. However, it was acknowledged that following the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease, many voluntary groups experienced difficulty in submitting their completed application forms prior to the 27 April closing date. As a result, the closing date for receipt of applications for the scheme was extended to 31 May 2001.

The 2002 scheme of grants will be advertised extensively in the national and provincial newspapers in the near future. While a closing date for receipt of applications is applied each year, the regional offices of my Department are flexible in accepting late applications, their prime concern being the safety and security of vulnerable older people in the community.