1187 Deputy Tony Gregory asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has received an application from an association (details supplied) requesting a grant from the dormant accounts fund in respect of work to assist older people in the community; and, if so, his views on this application. [30516/08]

Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund are designed to assist three broad categories of persons — those socially or economically disadvantaged; those who are educationally disadvantaged and persons with a disability.

At present, there are eight Government Departments involved as lead departments in the disbursement of grants from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Department of Health and Children is the lead Department with regard to funding and management of the Older Persons Initiatives.