Today (6/05/10) Pat Carey T.D., Minister at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, announced the publication of the report on the Review of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People.
“I am very pleased to be in a positon to publish this report and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all parties who contributed to the review. I am sure everyone will agree that the findings vindicate the level of funding provided to support the safety and security of older people within their communities and the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure that older people can continue to live independently in their own homes. More than 70,000 older people have been supported by the Scheme since its introduction in 1996 and it has enabled vital responses and interventions when older persons have been most in need.”
“The review has also highlighted the critical role the community and voluntary sector has had in the success of the Scheme – the investment of time, resources and goodwill by community and voluntary groups operating the scheme throughout the length and breadth of the country has been a key feature in this success and it is a testament to the spirit and commitment of volunteers in our communities.”
“The review has recommended the introduction of a new Scheme which I am pleased to say will be introduced by my Department before the end of this month. The new Seniors Alert Scheme will replace the Scheme of Community Support for Older People and will ensure that support will continue to be provided to those most in need in our communities.”
The report is available on the Department’s website at www.pobail.ie or upon request from the CSOP Unit in the Department (Tel: (071) 9107818/7821).