Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the budget allocation for the scheme of community supports in respect of older people in 2010; the number of elderly persons that will be catered for under this scheme in 2010 as compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48154/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware of my intention to put revised arrangements for this Scheme in place early in 2010, following a review this year. Pending full implementation of these new arrangements, the existing Scheme will remain open for applications. All applications received by my Department have been processed and grant support has been provided to almost 6,400 older people this year. The total value of grants paid to community groups is over €2 million.

The final allocation for the Scheme for next year will not be settled until the Revised Estimates are published. However, my intention is that monitored alarms will be made available to all applicants that might apply in 2010 either through the provision of new equipment or enhancing the capacity of community groups to reuse the stock of equipment already in their ownership.