Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Rural and Community Development

Community First Responders Network

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1353. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding streams accessible by local authorities and voluntary responder groups to equip communities with the essential equipment needed by community first responders and public access defibrillator schemes to provide their key services across both rural and urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/18]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my Department currently provides funding for a number of programmes which are relevant to the matter raised. 

Firstly, CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects and other initiatives in areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.

I launched the 2018 CLÁR Programme on 15 March, with an indicative allocation of €5 million across three Measures as follows: 

Measure 1: Supports for School and Community Safety Measures

Measure 2: Play Areas

Measure 3: First Response Supports

There is an indicative allocation of €1 million for the First Response Supports Measure. This measure is open to established organisations that operate entirely on a voluntary basis and are involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts in the community.  Funding under the measure will allow for the replacement or upgrading of old vehicles or equipment directly involved in emergency rescue/first response efforts, and could include the purchase of defibrillators.

The scheme will provide up to 85% of the total cost of the equipment being applied for. A match funding contribution of 15% is required. 

Application forms and detailed scheme documentation are available on my Department's website at , or by contacting my Department directly at  CLAR@DRCD.gov.ie

The provision of defibrillators may also be considered eligible for funding under my Department's LEADER Programme, the Communities Facilities Scheme and the RAPID Programme.

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 (LAG) 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 

The Communities Facilities Scheme (CFS) was launched on 10 March 2017.  It was targeted at disadvantaged urban and rural areas, but not exclusively so.  The funding related to capital projects only.  The CFS is administered by the Local Community Development Committees, in each Local Authority area, on behalf of my Department.  I am delighted to confirm that I have also secured a €2 million allocation for the CFS in Budget 2018.  The modalities of the CFS for 2018 are currently under consideration.

The RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme was launched on 2 November 2017.  The Programme funding was for capital grants only and was aimed at funding projects in disadvantaged urban areas and provincial towns.The RAPID Programme is also administered by the Local Community Development Committees.  I have also secured a €2 million allocation for RAPID in Budget 2018.  The modalities of the RAPID Programme for 2018 are currently under consideration.

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