Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2019
432. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be considered for a defibrillator to be installed in a school (details supplied); the programmes that provide such funding supports; the application process involved; the available grant aid in each programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22545/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, the provision of defibrillators may be eligible for funding under a number of my Department's programmes, including CLÁR, LEADER and the Community Enhancement Programme. Each programme has its own particular objectives and eligibility criteria.
CLÁR is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant depopulation in the past. The school referred to by the Deputy is not in a designated CLÁR area and therefore does not qualify under the CLÁR criteria.
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. The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER Programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural 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 under LEADER, 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. Contact details for all LAGs are available on my Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups/ .
The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) replaces and builds on the former RAPID programme and the Community Facilities Scheme, providing a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to funding 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 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) 2019 is now open for applications. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 30th May 2019.
