Mary Upton
Ceist:1617 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and, if so, when this will be approved. [16030/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
The purpose of the scheme of community support for older people is 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 the commencement of the scheme of community support for older people, a total of €32.5 million has been allocated to the scheme. To the end of 2001 this scheme has assisted some 89,136 individuals. A sum of €4.4 million has been provided for the scheme in 2002.
Voluntary or community based groups seeking funding under the scheme must satisfy the defined eligibility criteria of the scheme, comply with Government tax clearance procedures and provide satisfactory accounts in respect of previously paid grants.
I am anxious that this scheme continues to operate in a way that benefits the most vulnerable older people in our society. With this in mind my Department keeps the administrative procedures applying to the scheme under review and makes amendments as appropriate. My Department also monitors the scheme on an ongoing basis to ensure that those organisations receiving funding under the scheme are complying with all the schemes regulations and requirements.
The organisation mentioned in the Deputy's question is one of the voluntary organisations which have submitted applications for funding in recent years. I can confirm that applications for 2002 from this organisation have recently been received in various regional offices of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which are currently administering the scheme on behalf of my Department.
Representatives from my Department will be in touch with the organisation in relation to its application in the near future.