I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 together.
The House will be aware that my Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared.
Pending consideration of the review and the putting in place of revised arrangements for 2010, I have agreed to lift the suspension. Community and voluntary organisations participating in the Scheme in recent years have been notified and have been advised of the conditions attaching to the reopening of the Scheme.
Since my Department took over responsibility for the Scheme in 2002 some 62,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Scheme. Expenditure under the Scheme is estimated to be in excess of €20m for the period 2002-2009. All applications on hand at the time of suspension of the Scheme in April have been dealt with. Some €1.28m has been paid to 214 groups to date in 2009 with 3,695 older people receiving grants for equipment under the Scheme.