In my earlier response to the Deputy, I stated that I was open to considering the scope for providing a modest capital grant scheme for mountain rescue and that my officials would engage with Mountain Rescue Ireland on the issues involved. As you will appreciate, there are significant constraints on my Department's overall capital budget and there are other capital demands arising from my primary responsibility to provide a marine emergency response service.
At present, my Department is continuing with the grant aid scheme to assist a range of current expenditures by both Mountain Rescue Ireland and the various teams nationwide. The scope for capital grant assistance is being considered but it may be some time later this year before it can be established whether there is any capital funding available in my Department’s budget that could be utilised for mountain rescue services. Mountain Rescue Ireland were made aware of this position when I met with them and discussed the matter at their recent national conference.