Voluntary organisations in County Cork are to receive funding for mobility and transport services to help people in rural communities reach the medical services they need, North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has said.
“My colleague Minister Michael Ring has announced a total of €890,000 for Mobility and Cancer Care Transport under the CLÁR programme of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“The funding will provide vehicles to enable people living in rural areas to travel to medical care or respite centres free of charge.”
In Cork, the Carriganima Community Association received funding of €45,815, while the Irish Wheelchair Association in the county received funding of €34,137.
Cllr. O’Shea added: “The funding can be used by these groups to transport people to/from designated cancer treatment hospitals/centres under the National Cancer Care Programme. It can also be used to provide transport for people with significant mobility issues, including those requiring specialised
“CLÁR provides funding for small scale capital projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation and it forms part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development which was launched in January 2017.
“This particular transport scheme is really valuable in terms of supporting people in rural communities to get the medical care they need and ensure they are not isolated,” concluded Cllr. O’Shea.
Minister Ring said: “The provision of this funding is another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to supporting rural communities. I am proud to be able to support voluntary groups who provide transport to our sick and vulnerable citizens in order to enable them to access treatment and services.”
The Minister added: “Over the past year, I have seen the difference that the provision of these vehicles makes to the lives of people living in CLÁR areas who have to attend day care or medical services, and their families, and I wanted to continue that support this year.”
Minister Ring concluded: “One of the strategic objectives of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy is to strengthen rural economies and communities. The CLÁR programme is helping to improve the quality of life in rural communities and is an important part of the Government’s integrated strategy for rural development which will also be supported through the new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This Fund will provide an additional €1 billion to be invested directly into rural communities by my Department up to 2027.”
