- Funding to purchase vehicles that will provide essential transport services for cancer patients and people with mobility issues
- Support for community groups that transport blood samples and medication
- Mountain Rescue Teams, Air Ambulances and Sub-Aqua Groups also to receive funding
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Wednesday, June 22nd) announced over €1.6 million for community first responders across the country.
The funding will be used to purchase vehicles designed to transport people who have mobility issues or people being treated for cancer.
Community groups that perform roles such as transporting blood samples from hospitals and delivering medication, will also be supported under the initiative.
Mountain Rescue Teams, Air Ambulances and Sub-Aqua Groups are also to receive funding.
Overall, Minister Humphreys is announcing €1.62 million under Measure 2 of the CLÁR Programme – supporting the purchase of a record 32 vehicles in rural communities.
Among the projects being supported include:
- County Donegal – Donegal Cancer Flights and Services
– Purchase of vehicle: €30,400
- County Cork – Millstreet & District Housing Association
– Purchase of Wheelchair accessible 8 seater bus: €50,000
- County Kerry – Kerry Cancer Support Group
– Purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicle: €100,000
- County Galway – Galway Hospice
– Purchase of vehicle: €36,000
- County Louth – Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery Service
– Purchase of vehicle: €45,000
- County Mayo – Western Care Association
– Purchase of minibus: €69,000
- County Monaghan – Crocus Cancer Support Centre
– Purchase of vehicle: €37,641.60
Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said:
“The groups that we are supporting today play a vital role in their communities. They provide critical services, bringing people free of charge to cancer treatment and day care centres, as well as transporting blood samples, medication and performing rescue services. We are all indebted to these organisations and I am delighted to support them through this investment.
“This year, 32 organisations have been successful under this Measure – the highest number of projects to date. The allocation is double on last year’s reflecting my desire as Minister to give these groups continued support.
“This year I am also supporting community based first responders as well as voluntary search and rescue organisations. I know that these vehicles will make a real difference it the communities which they serve.”
The measures being funded under the 2022 CLÁR programme are:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- Measure 3: Our Islands
Successful applications under Measure 1 and 3 of CLÁR will be announced at a later date.
