Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Department of Rural and Community Development

Provision of Defibrillators

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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997. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the various funding channels open to community and sporting organisations that wish to acquire a defibrillator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45131/18]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The provision of defibrillators may be eligible for funding under a number of my Department's programmes, including LEADER, the Community Enhancement Programme and CLÁR.

LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.  Funding can be provided under a broad range of defined themes, which include enterprise development and social inclusion.

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, support for the services referred to by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.

In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the LEADER sub-regional area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme. 

The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which administer the programme in each LEADER area.  Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department's website at 

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In May 2018, I launched the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP).  The CEP replaces and builds on the RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme, providing a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need while reducing the level of administration involved.  The CEP is administered by the Local Community Development Committees in each Local Authority area, on behalf of my Department.  Some of the funding available under this programme is ring-fenced to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less.  The programme is currently closed to applications but will open again in 2019.

The CLÁR programme has also provided funding for defibrillators to established organisations that operate on a voluntary basis and are involved in emergency rescue or first response efforts in the community.  CLÁR operates in specific designated rural areas that have experienced high levels depopulation, based on Census data. The closing date for receipt of applications under CLÁR has now passed for this year.  Decisions regarding any measures that might be supported under CLÁR in 2019 will be made early next year.

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