Hoctor welcomes commitment to continue Community Support for Older People Scheme

Posted on 08/10/09 by Máire Hoctor Local Fianna Fail T.D. Máire Hoctor has welcomed a commitment to continue the Community Support for Older People Scheme from John Curran T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
"The scheme has benefited more than 100,000 older people since it was introduced in 1996" said Deputy Hoctor "many local community organisations in North Tipperary, like Active Retirement, Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch groups have benefited over the years" she explained.
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.
"The Department will be putting in place revised application arrangements for 2010 at which time the suspension on the scheme will be lifted" said Deputy Hoctor. "I understand that 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".
The scheme provides grants to community and voluntary groups to encourage and assist them in improving the security of vulnerable older people in their own homes. Its aim is to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people in their homes by providing locks, security lighting, smoke alarms and the once-off cost of installing socially monitored personal alarm systems.
Since 2002 some 62,000 recipients nationally 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.