Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
820. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the Civil Defence budget for Longford-Westmeath to increase training requirements and improve the quality of services and contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1645/13]
View answerMy Department funds Civil Defence operations at local authority level to a maximum of 70% of approved expenditure. The balance of 30% is funded by the local authority. Despite cuts in funding across many Departments and State Bodies I have succeeded in maintaining overall funding for Civil Defence in 2013 at the same level as in the previous two years. Consequently it has been possible to maintain the current levels of grant-aid paid by my Department to local authorities to support their Civil Defence activities.
I regard this investment in supporting Civil Defence activities nationally as excellent value for money and it is my intention to maintain that level of funding in so far as possible as resources permit.
The present system of allocation of grants to local authorities has been in place for many years. In seeking to ensure that the distribution of funding to and among local authorities is carried out in the most efficient and effective manner my Department has commenced a review of the grants allocation system.
