Curran confirms the continuation of the Community Support for Older People

Posted on 06/10/09 by John Curran John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has reiterated his commitment to the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

The Scheme which is funded and administered by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was suspended in April this year with a view to affording the Department the opportunity to review the Scheme's operation and to consult with interested parties. The Review has now been completed and a draft report is being prepared.

Speaking today, Minister of State Curran said: "Pending consideration of the review and the putting in place of revised arrangements for 2010, I have 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".

He continued; "Since my Department took over responsibility for the Scheme in 2002 some 62,000 recipients have benefited from support under the Scheme. Expenditure under the Scheme has been in excess of €20m for the period 2002 - 2009. Some €1.28m 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".