Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen has expressed optimism that the Community Support for Older People Scheme will shortly be reopened following a six-month review.Minister of State Killeen’s comment comes after John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs reiterated his commitment to the Scheme. The Scheme was suspended in April this year with a view to affording the Department the opportunity to review its operation and to consult with interested parties. The review has now been completed and a draft report is being prepared.
Minister of State Killeen said he warmly welcomed Minister of State Curran’s commitment to the scheme. He said: “Pending consideration of the review and the putting in place of revised arrangements for 2010, Minister of State Curran has agreed to lift the suspension. Community and voluntary organisations participating in the Scheme in recent years have been notified and have been advised of the conditions attaching to the reopening of the Scheme.”
According to Minister of State Killeen: “I am cogently aware of the hardships that older people can face on a daily basis. I welcome any initiatives that seek to improve confidence, security and comfort levels among older people in our society allowing them to continue to live independently. Therefore, I am delighted that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is examining the possibility of reopening the Community Support for Older People Scheme in the very near future.”
The Clare Deputy added: “The Scheme has provided significant funds to community and voluntary organisations in every part of County Clare. In the four months up until the commencement of the review process in April, funds were allocated to a range of organisations including Caring for Carers Clare, Tulla Senior Citizen Security Section, Ibrickane Network, Newmarket-on-Fergus Senior Citizens and Ballyvaughan Community Alert. The security devices that older people now benefit from as result of these funding allocations, include smoke alarms, the once-off cost of installing socially monitored alarm systems, security lighting, and window locks, door locks and door chains designed to strengthen points of entry to dwellings.”
62,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Community Support for Older People Scheme since it was take over in 2002 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Expenditure under the Scheme has been in excess of EUR20m for the period 2002 – 2009. Some EUR1.28m has been paid to 214 groups to date in 2009 with 3,695 older people receiving grants for equipment under the Scheme. A further 2,500 older people will benefit from the Scheme before the end of this year.
