Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the establishment of a community development unit for older people within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10809/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans at present to establish a community development unit for older people. Older people benefit under a number of my Department's programmes and schemes, including the local development social inclusion programme, the scheme of community supports for older people and the community development programme. This is in addition to the supports for older people provided by the Government across a range of Departments.

A number of groups focusing on the needs of older people also receive funding from my Department, including the Federation of Active Retirement Association, the Older Women's Network and the Senior Citizen's Parliament. I do not believe that the establishment of a dedicated community development unit for older people would necessarily improve service to this important group. Indeed, the focus at the moment is on promoting linkages, cohesion and sharing resources between existing local and community agencies to improve service delivery generally.