Funding of €50,000 has been provided to purchase an ambulance for a voluntary organisation in Laois.
The Irish Red Cross – Laois, based in Raheen, has been approved for the funding, it has been confirmed.
Minister for Justice & Equality, Charlie Flanagan has said that a new round of the Clár Programme will make funding available for first responder organisations in Laois.
This is part of a €1.2 million allocation of funding announced this week by Michael Ring T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development.
Speaking about the purpose of the funds Minister Flanagan said: “The latest round of the Clár Programme will support First Responders who provide an excellent service in rural areas often under very difficult circumstances.
“Laois has been allocated €50,000 for first responder organisations. The Irish Red Cross- Laois based in Raheen has been approved €50,000 for the purchase of an Ambulance.”
“It is great to get confirmation from my colleague Minister Michael Ring, that all groups who applied for funding under this round of the Clár Programme were ultimately successful.
“This builds on the funding of €1.2m provided by Government last year to 44 organisations for projects ranging from defibrillators for small community organisations to a significant level of support to Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) a voluntary GP led national scheme of emergency first response and the provision of 6 First Response Vehicles for Mountain Rescue Teams all over Ireland,” Minister Flanagan said.
He noted that he Clár Programme forms a significant part of Fine Gael’s Action Plan for Rural Development which was launched in January 2017.
“Since 2016, the Programme has provided funding to over 1,000 projects in rural areas across the country.
“Through the Clár Programme and other supports under the Action Plan of Rural Development, such as the Rural Recreation programme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Fine Gael will continue working hard to support the economic and social development of communities in rural Ireland,” Minister Flanagan said.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Young GAA fans meet their idolds at Castletown and Colt Cúl Camps
