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Smith welcomes decision to recommence Community Support for Older People Scheme following a review
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith has welcomed a commitment by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to recommence the Community Support for Older People Scheme following a review to be completed by next September.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Eamon O’Cuiv, T.D., has confirmed that suspension of the Scheme is temporary and that it will recommence following an extensive review which will involve engagement with interested groups, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Muintir na Tire, Irish Rural Link and the Senior Citizens Parliament.
Minister Smith acknowledged that the Scheme was an immense success in providing greater security and reassurance to older people, especially in rural Ireland. “The impact of the Scheme in County Cavan has been very strong, with almost €310,000 being distributed to various groups since 2003 from 84 separate allocations. The review which is about to be undertaken and which I understand will involve the main stakeholders, will I believe secure the future of the Scheme and ensure that it will operate in an even more targeted and efficient way on behalf of older people”, he said.
“The resources available to the Government in the present climate are limited and it is absolutely essential that they are targeted in the most efficient and cost effective way. In announcing this review and clearly signalling that the Scheme will recommence once it is completed, the older people of County Cavan can look forward to further investment in the provision of modern security measures in their own homes,” he concluded.
