My Department has, since 1996, operated the scheme of community support for older people, the purpose of which is to provide funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people. This funding is provided by way of grant aid to voluntary groups and organisations who have undertaken to identify those elderly people in need of assistance under the scheme.
Since I came to office in mid-1997 I have allocated a total of £13 million to this scheme which allowed some 53,000 individuals to receive assistance under the scheme. I am committed to ensuring that this scheme continues to address the security needs of the most vulnerable older people in our society and accordingly a sum of £5 million has been provided for the scheme in my Department's Estimates for 2000.
While I appreciate that older people are reluctant to divulge personal information, in order to administer this and other grant schemes which are funded from public money, my Department must ensure that all criteria are adhered to. As it is a condition of the scheme that individuals must be aged 65 and over it is necessary to provide details of age and RSI number in order to verify that all proposed beneficiaries satisfy this eligibility criteria. I can assure the Deputy that applications and the information contained therein, for all grants schemes operated by my Department is regarded with the utmost confidentiality and is required for the above administrative purposes only.
I am anxious to ensure that all vulnerable elderly people are made aware of the scheme and commend the energy and commitment of voluntary organisations who have worked tirelessly in their own communities to enhance the profile and to promote the benefits of the scheme. In November 1999, my Department also sought to heighten awareness of the scheme by circulating a newsletter to some 311,000 pensioners, outlining details of all relevant schemes including information on the scheme of community support for older people.
I propose to advertise the 2000 scheme extensively in both the national and provincial newspapers in April at which time any community based organisation working with or providing support for vulnerable older people may apply for grant aid.
