Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2009
58 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to fund initiatives for social inclusion in the run-up to the Christmas period in view of the many persons living alone in our communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47032/09]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department implements and funds a wide range of measures, programmes and schemes promoting social inclusion. These include measures addressing the issue of urban and rural isolation, for example, the Community Supports for Older People and grant provision to organisations such as St Vincent de Paul and Protestant Aid. Details of the programmes and schemes operated by my Department, including guidelines, criteria and recipients of grant support, are available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie. All applications for funding received by my Department are assessed in line with the eligibility criteria of the relevant schemes and decisions made accordingly. If the Deputy has a specific application or project in mind, I will be happy to consider the matter on receipt of further information from him.
