Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
30. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the establishment of a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21527/14]
View answerThe Coast Guard, which is a division of the Irish Maritime Administration in my Department, administers mountain rescue grants in two parts; to individual mountain rescue teams and to the co-ordinating body Mountain Rescue Ireland, which is an all-island body. Despite the constraints on public finance these payments have not reduced in my tenure as Minister. Although the Coast Guard does not have direct responsibility for mountain rescue I am conscious of the service mountain rescue teams provide and options for occasional capital grants will be kept under review. These matters can be discussed with mountain rescue representatives at their biannual meeting with the Coast Guard.
With regard to the sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups, primary responsibility for missing person searches in inland waters is vested in An Garda Síochána. The Coast Guard has responsibility for co-ordination of maritime search and rescue on Irish coastal and offshore waters. Diving support to the Coast Guard is provided in the first instance by the Garda Water Unit and the Navy Diving team. Volunteer diving teams do on occasion offer assistance but in such scenarios their participation based on an offer of support.
The Coast Guard is currently consulting with an Chomhairle Fo-Thuinn (Irish Underwater Council), with a view to developing a service level agreement that is primarily focused on the safety of such operations. Regrettably, it is not envisaged that any funding assistance will be extended to sub aqua or recovery groups in the foreseeable future.
In relation to coastal waters, my Department provides grant assistance to twelve units known as Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI).This funding amounts to €5k per unit per annum. These units operate on the basis of a specific undertaking with the Coast Guard and are categorised as "Declared Resources".
