Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
166. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport 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. [53573/21]
View answerThe Department of Transport provides an annual maintenance grant to support the search and rescue activities of certain Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams, which is provided from the IRCG budget. The Department does not currently provide capital funding grants for voluntary rescue and recovery groups, but the matter will be considered on an ongoing basis and in the context of the 2022 allocations.
It is noted that the mountain rescue sector has also received capital grants from other government sources including the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as well as County Councils over the years.
Consideration is being given to identifying one point of contact across Government to provide information on supports available for the sector.
