14 July 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Michael Ring T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development, has announced details of funding of €1.2 million to a range of First Responder organisations in rural areas under Measure 3 (First Responders Support) of the CLÁR Programme 2018.
The funding will go towards a range of supports including:
· Vital equipment for mountain and sub aqua rescue groups
· Ambulances for local ambulance groups
· Defibrillators for local communities
Minister Ring said: “I am delighted to be in a position to announce further funding under the CLÁR programme of €1.2m for 70 First Responder groups in rural areas around the country who provide an excellent service often under very difficult circumstances. These community-based volunteer organisations do life-saving work. They need to have proper equipment and training in order to ensure they can perform their work”.
In North Cork, Knocknagree Community Group is to get €1,400 for the purchase of a defibrillator and Mallow Search & Rescue are to get €25,287 for the purchase of an emergency vehicle.
Welcoming the funding for North Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (FG) said “I’m delighted to see support for both Knocknagree & Mallow supported in these allocations for the vital work they do. This Government supports and invests in community groups throughout the country because we recognise the invaluable contribution they make to our society. No one epitomises this contribution more than voluntary first responder groups. I have great respect for the volunteers that put themselves on the line in order to help others. I know that this funding will go towards keeping members of our communities safe and well”.
Cllr John Paul O’Shea
Today’s announcement builds on the funding of €1.2m the Department of Rural and Community Development provided last year to 44 organisations around the country. Since the re-introduction of the CLÁR Programme in 2016, it has provided funding to over 1,200 projects throughout the country under various measures.
The CLÁR programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and forms part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development. CLÁR 2018 was announced in March 2018 with applications invited under three Measures:
· Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
· Measure 2: Play Areas (Including MUGAs)
· Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
Successful applicants under Measures 1 and 2 have previously been announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and details are available on the Department’s website, https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/clar/. Details of the successful projects under Measure 3 will also be published on the website after the Department has notified the Organisations of their successful applications.
