Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Defence the grants available to voluntary organisations for acquiring new equipment in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7238/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Civil Defence is the principal statutory volunteer based organisation in Ireland with almost 4,000 active volunteers who are based in each local authority area. The Department of Defence has responsibility for the management and development of Civil Defence at national level.

The Department of Defence provides grants to support the delivery of Civil Defence services at local level through the local authorities. An annual grant is provided towards administration and running costs and grants are also issued to the local authorities from time to time towards the purchase of vehicles and equipment. These discretionary grants are based on a justifiable case and are subsequently paid on the basis of vouched expenditure.