Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on extending the provision of the scheme of community support for older people to persons under 65 years with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45433/09]

Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the efforts being made to disseminate information on the provision of socially-monitored alarms through community groups and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45434/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.

My Department carried out a comprehensive review of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People over the past number of months. I am currently considering the recommendations made to me by the Review Team. These recommendations include the matters raised by the Deputy in respect of extension of the Programme and the need to improve coverage and awareness of the Scheme. The Scheme is currently focused on the security needs of older people and it is not envisaged that this would be extended to people with disabilities or other health related concerns where support would, I believe, more appropriately be addressed by the Health Service Executive. I have already informed the House of my intention to bring in revised arrangement for the Scheme in early 2010 and these will include the matter of improved information for local organisations.

I have re-opened the existing Scheme until such time as revised arrangements are in place.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the implications that funding will have on a group (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45492/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question Number 210 of 26 November 2009.