Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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913. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which the Civil Defence made a successful application under dormant accounts for €1 million for vehicles in 2019. [25635/20]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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In 2019, the Department of Defence applied for, and secured, funding (€1million) to upgrade Civil Defence’s fleet under the Dormant Accounts Fund. This application occurred in the context of adverse weather events and the role of the Civil Defence in assisting vulnerable people and communities, in particular elderly people living in more isolated settings. The application was approved by both the Minister of Defence and the Minister for Rural and Community Development in accordance with legislative requirements. It was subsequently included in the 2020 Dormant Account Action Plan, which was published in late 2019.

In that connection, I understand that 32 new four-wheel drive vehicles have recently been allocated to Civil Defence units throughout the country. This will further enhance the organisation’s fleet and ensure it can continue to support the Principal Response Agencies of An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Local Authorities - including in assisting in the Covid-19 response.