According to Fianna Fail TD for Dublin North, Michael Kennedy, today’s announcement by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs confirming a further €110,000 in funding for the Community Scheme for Older People (CSOP) highlights the Government's commitment to the scheme despite Fine Gael's persistent scaremongering that the scheme had ended.

"Over the past two months, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Michael Ring TD, has on numerous occasions wrongly accused the Government of closing down the Community Scheme for Older people despite evidence to the contrary. Deputy Ring choose to ignore statements from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs announcing continued funding for the scheme. Instead, he persisted with his own agenda, accusing the Government of "treating older people like fools with weasel words"."

"Today’s announcement makes it clear once and for all that the Government is continuing to support what is a hugely successful scheme providing much needed security for older people in their homes. Fine Gael’s scare tactics have caused unnecessary worry for community groups across the country and it needs to stop once and for all," concluded Deputy Michael Kennedy.

ENDS