Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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1162. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the purchase of medical defibrillators qualifies for Leader programme funding by local area groups. [46547/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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LEADER funding is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in 28 sub-regional areas across Ireland, in line with the Local Development Strategies developed by each LAG.

Funding under LEADER is available for a range of defined themes, which include enterprise development and job creation, the development of rural towns, social inclusion, and the environment.

The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER Programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural and remote areas and, in that context, the provision of defibrillators could be considered eligible for LEADER funding.

However, individual project approvals are a matter for the Local Action Group in the relevant area and I have no function in relation to such approvals.  In order for a project to qualify for funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the LEADER programme. 

Applications for project funding should be made directly to the relevant LAG.  Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department's website at .