Written answers
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Department of Rural and Community Development
Community Development Projects
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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664. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to indicate the potential funding available for a group (details supplied); the appropriate scheme, if any, in respect of which this group should apply for to secure funding for this valuable community service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20190/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has provided funding for vehicles for community first responder groups through the CLÁR programme since 2022. The CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation over a defined period.
I launched the CLÁR 2024 programme on 12 April this year. Measure 2 of this years scheme once again provides funding for Community First Responders. The funding will cover the cost of a vehicle and/or the fit out of a vehicle only. It does not cover any ongoing operational costs. In order to be eligible for funding, it will be necessary for applicants to demonstrate that over 80% of the area in which the service is provided is within CLÁR areas. This would need to be considered by the group referred to by the Deputy given that Kildare does not contain any CLÁR areas.
Details in respect of CLÁR areas and the application process for 2024 are available on my Department's website.
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