Peadar Clohessy
Question:27 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make funds available to the Shannon Marine Rescue Service in County Limerick who are doing very necessary work in the inland waterways (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Shannon Marine Rescue Service.
At present no funds are available to assist inland waterway rescue groups such as the Shannon Marine Rescue Service.
However my Department make a contribution towards the running of the National Safety Council's annual inshore rescue training courses. In addition my Department make an annual grant of £100,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. It is up to the discretion of the RNLI as to how this money is to be used.
In addition to the above, money for search and rescue is voted for IMES, MRCC Shannon, the coast radio stations at Valentia, Malin Head and the Coast and Cliff Rescue Service.
I understand that local authorities with the consent of the Minister for the Environment are empowered under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, to contribute to funds of a society having as or among its objectives the saving of persons from drowning.