€2m for 37 Vehicles for Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €2 million in funding which will allow community groups 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. So too will Mountain Rescue Teams and Sub-Aqua Groups.

Overall, Minister Humphreys announced €2,026,853 under Measure 2 of the CLÁR Programme – supporting the purchase of a record 37 vehicles in rural communities.

Some of the projects being supported include:

• Donegal – Spraoi agus Spórt Family Centre – €77,734 for a 19 Seat Wheelchair Minibus
• Wicklow – Rathdrum Cancer Support Group – €44,034
• Mayo – River Moy Search and Rescue – €98,237 for a Search and Rescue Vehicle.
• Kerry – Banna Community – €100,000 for an In-shore lifeboat.
• Clare – ClareCare – €82,184 for an 18 seater minibus.
• Westmeath – Athlone Sub Aqua Club – €44,033

Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said, \”it is wonderful to be supporting these vital services in our community. Each of the recipients of funding today play a critical role providing essential services to members of the public who are most in need, including by bringing them free of charge, to cancer treatment and to day care centres.\”

\”They also provide essential transport services for blood samples and medication and, equally important, delivering search and rescue services. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these organisations and the individuals who work with them and it is my great pleasure to support them through this investment.\”

\”This year, 37 organisations have been successful under this Measure – the highest number of projects to date. The total funding provided to Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders to close to €8 Million since 2018. In that period over 155 projects have been delivered. I will do all I can to ensure these services continue into the future.\”

The measures being funded under the 2023 CLÁR programme are:

• Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
• Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
• Measure 3: Our Islands