Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The CLÁR programme is one of the better programmes introduced over the years. While I have differences with my colleague across the floor, it was one of the better schemes introduced. It was closed from 2010. I am reviewing the schemes and I am looking to identify schemes that will be supportive of rural areas and of communities that are not able to get the support they need from other State agencies. The one thing about CLÁR is it can identify programmes that help.

Last year one of things that worked out very well was in regard to first responders, particularly in some rural areas where they do not have health board services. They depend on ambulances and voluntary organisations, like the Order of Malta, to bring people to hospital. That has worked our very well.

I refer to cancer services. In particular in rural Ireland, many people do not have the funding and are not able to get to hospital appointments. We need to support them and help them to get to their appointments and home again. I am delighted I brought in that initiative. I am looking at other initiatives and that is why we are doing the review. I am going on the old figures, so I need to do a review and to identify the areas that need to be targeted for CLÁR funding.

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