Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1398. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid and funding available from her Department to a community group to assist in the provision and installation of a defibrillator in a public space. [2795/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a range of rural and community investment supports, some of which can be used to support the purchase of capital equipment such as defibrillators.

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides small scale funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. The purchase of defibrillators has been facilitated under the fund in previous years. The LEP 2025 is now open to applications and is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority.

The purchase of community defibrillators is eligible in principle for funding under the LEADER Programme. Groups should contact their Local Action Group to discuss the eligibility of any potential project.

The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. Defibrillators may be funded as part of a larger community project under CLÁR. The 2025 CLÁR programme will open for applications in the coming months.

The purchase of a defibrillator may also form part of a lager community project under schemes such as the Community Recognition Fund.

Details of all of my Department's schemes are available on my Department's website.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1399. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the 2024 and 2025 budget allocation for the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2860/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based recreation sites and mountain trails.

The budget allocation for ORIS and associated outdoor recreation investments was €16 million in 2024 and the same provision has been made for 2025. The 2024 allocation was increased during the year to €17.5 million through savings available elsewhere in order to meet additional demand under the scheme.

ORIS 2024/2025 was launched on 17th October last year. The scheme is currently open for applications through local authorities and local development companies. I look forward to announcing successful projects later in the year.