Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way that groups that may qualify for a grant under the community supports for older people are identified and encouraged to apply for such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Any local voluntary or community based organisations, especially those working with or providing support for older people, can apply for funding under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.

Full information on the Scheme is publicly available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie, including lists of organisations already funded under the Scheme.

In addition, for the last several years the Scheme has been advertised annually in the local and national newspapers. Ahead of the launch of the 2006 Scheme, my Department had conducted consultations with voluntary and community based organisations, as a result of which I made several important changes to the Scheme provisions. For the formal Scheme launch in May last, I hosted a reception involving representatives of a wide range of voluntary organisations to mark ten years of the Scheme and to publicise the Scheme generally and the new Scheme provisions.

I should also point out that on an ongoing basis, my officials are in contact with locally based volunteers in support of this Scheme.