Vol. 468 No. 4
752 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of applications received under the community support for the elderly scheme; the number of successful applications; and the plans, if any, he has to extend the closing date for the scheme. [15695/96]
As I indicated in my replies to Question No. 123 on 6 June 1996, Question No. 268 on 18 June 1996 and Questions Nos. 21 and 37 on 20 June 1996 one of the special recommendations of the special task force on security for the elderly was that my Department introduce a £2 million grant scheme to provide grant-aid to voluntary groups in relation to security initiatives for the elderly. That recommendation was accepted. Subsequently I established an advisory committee, on which the National Council for the Elderly, the St. Vincent de Paul, the Irish Association for Victim Support, Muintir na Tíre, the Irish Country Women's Association and the Garda Síochána are represented, to devise a suitable scheme that would ensure that the available funds are targeted at the most vulnerable older people and the best possible value for money is achieved.
The scheme, entitled a scheme of community support for older people was advertised on 29 May 1996 in the national newspapers. The scheme is open to any voluntary or community based organisation working with or providing support for vulnerable older people. The scheme is being administered in each of my Department's regions with the aid of a regional advisory committee which mirrors the composition of the national advisory committee referred to above.
