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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Security of the Elderly.

Ceist:

315 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give details on the allocation of grants to community groups under the security measures for the elderly scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26339/00]

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 was again provided for the scheme in 2000.

The total amount of funding paid or approved for payment to voluntary organisations seeking assistance under the scheme on behalf of vulnerable elderly people this year is £2,607,105. This figure does not however represent the total funding sought under the 2000 scheme as applications are still being processed by the various regional offices of my Department. Definitive statistics for the scheme will be compiled once all applications received this year have been processed. As is usual in my Department, this information will be made available to the Oireachtas Library early in 2001.

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