Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the grant for community support for older people; when the new scheme will come into place; and if there are any additions in relation to the type of grant available. [28769/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Seniors Alert Scheme replaced the Scheme of Community Support for Older People (CSOP) on 24th May 2010. To date, some 150 groups have applied to register with my Department and operate the new Scheme.

The Seniors Alert Scheme does not differ substantially from the CSOP and will continue to operate by means of community-based grants to local community and voluntary groups. While the eligibility criteria remain broadly the same, new application and assessment procedures have been introduced to improve the management and administration of the Scheme and to reduce the administrative burden on groups.

The range of equipment eligible for support has also been modified. Equipment grant-aided under the Scheme now includes interior emergency lighting, which was previously only available to older people living on offshore islands. The range of equipment eligible for grant support is subject to ongoing review by my Department and may be extended, as appropriate, to meet the objectives of the Scheme, subject to resources.

My Department will continue to process applications received under the CSOP prior to its closure in May. To date in 2010, some €1.2m in grant support has been provided to 298 community groups for the provision of items of safety and security equipment to almost 3,700 older people. Details of grant support paid to community groups are published monthly on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.