Vol. 572 No. 6
385 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has identified ways or means to assist older people living in urban or rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24264/03]
My Department has responsibility for the administration of the scheme of community support for older people, which provides 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.
Under the terms of the scheme, grant aid is available towards the once-off costs of purchase and/or installation of small-scale physical security equipment and socially monitored alarm systems. Where socially monitored alarms previously installed under this scheme are broken, a limited amount of funding is available towards the cost of replacement. The scheme was advertised in both local and national newspapers the week beginning 4 August with a closing date of 17 September 2003. Some €3.4 million has been allocated to the scheme this year.
In more general terms, my Department provides a range of supports and structures that assist communities, especially those suffering from disadvantage and social exclusion. Older people would clearly be among the beneficiaries of such assistance.
Question No. 386 was answered with Question No. 80.
