Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I do not propose to accept this amendment. However, I assure the Deputy that for as long as I remain a Minister of State in the Department of Defence and in so far as the national finances can allow, the Civil Defence will be funded in the same manner as it has been to date. I understand the importance of the Deputy's point in this regard. He will understand that while the funding from the local authorities primarily is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to encourage local authorities to meet their obligations in respect of Civil Defence, my Department provides a grant aid to each authority amounting to 70% of approved expenditure each year on Civil Defence activities within its area. In addition, other supports, such as centralised training, policy advice and provision of major items of specialised equipment for authorities are 100% funded by my Department. As I stated previously, the level of funding for the Civil Defence has remained at €5.58 million per annum at a time of major cuts in other areas. One of my priorities in fighting my corner is to make sure that funding is retained in the future.

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