Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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435. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that are available to rural communities for the purchase, maintenance and upgrade of defibrillators. [27177/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not operate a dedicated fund for the purchase, maintenance, repair or service of defibrillators and there are currently no plans to introduce a specific current fund dedicated to this purpose.

However, some of my Department's programmes can fund the purchase of equipment such as defibrillators, including the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). This programme provides small grants to community groups to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas. The 2021 CEP is now closed and it is hoped to run another CEP later in 2022, however, details of this programme are not yet confirmed.  I would advise the local groups to check www.gov.ie/drcd on a regular basis for updates and to also make contact with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) for further details on the programme.

In November 2021, the €9m Community Activities Fund was launched and allowed groups apply for funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment within their community. This scheme is part of the CEP and is also administered by the LCDCs. The Community Activities Fund is now closed to applicants. Details of successful projects from each LCDC will be available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

The LEADER Programme is also a source of funding for rural areas and the purchase of community defibrillators may be eligible for LEADER funding.  Groups should contact their Local Action Group to determine eligibility.