Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
379 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will comment on his decision to limit the amount awarded per group applying under the scheme of community support for older people to €30,000; what measures he proposes to take to provide security measures to applicants who cannot be assisted by groups, following this limit on funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3784/05]
View answerFollowing a review of the scheme of community support for older people in 2004 the maximum funding available to any individual participant voluntary organisation was set at €30,000. In previous years a small number of organisations received sums in excess of €30,000; however, the vast majority of applicants were small community-based voluntary groups which received average amounts of less than €10,000.
The purpose of this change is to refocus the scheme on community groups and to redirect resources towards smaller groups, which have direct personal links with older people in their area, and who are therefore better placed to understand and appreciate their needs. This change has no implications for the overall funding available for the scheme.
Analysis of the grants awarded under the 2004 scheme shows that less than 5% of groups were approved for the maximum grant of €30,000. The average amount awarded to groups was less than €6,000. This would indicate that co-operation between groups in the same area could overcome difficulties presented by the €30,000 limit. For the 2005 scheme, my Department will be encouraging groups to take advantage of this flexibility. A list of organisations funded under the scheme in 2004 is available on the Department's website at www.pobail.ie or by contacting the Department directly. Individuals seeking assistance under the scheme should contact one of these groups to make an application on their behalf.
