The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is to encourage and assist the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Funding under the scheme can be provided for small scale security equipment designed to strengthen points of entry to the dwelling and for security lighting and for the once-off cost of installing socially monitored personal alarm systems. This year the scheme has been extended to include smoke alarms.
In 2002, €61,025 was awarded under the scheme to 21 community and voluntary groups in County Mayo on behalf of older people in their communities. In 2003, €95,032 was awarded under the scheme to 22 community and voluntary groups in County Mayo on behalf of older people in their communities.
This year, 32 applications have been received from community and voluntary groups in County Mayo on behalf of older people in their communities. My Department is currently engaged in processing these applications and it is intended that grants will issue to those groups who meet the criteria of the scheme next month.