Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has completed his review of the Community Supports for Older People Scheme; when he plans to reinstate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34105/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects that have been assisted under the community service project scheme; the funding drawn down since its inception; if the budget will be reintroduced; if so, when and the funding allocated towards the renewal of this scheme; the effect this will have on the projects that were with his Department prior to the suspension of the scheme; if these will have first priority in regard to the new funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34204/09]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in view of the continuing high level of crimes committed against the elderly, he will take steps to reinstate the scheme of community support for older people which was suspended five months ago; and the terms of any new scheme proposed. [34186/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 161 and 165 together.

The House will be aware that my Department has been conducting a comprehensive review of the arrangements underpinning the operation of the Scheme of Support for Older People. In line with previous commitments, the review has been completed and a draft report is being prepared.

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.

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 is estimated to be in excess of €20m for the period 2002-2009. All applications on hand at the time of suspension of the Scheme in April have been dealt with. 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.