asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport in relation to the coast life-saving service (1) the number of persons enrolled in the service, (2) when such persons were enrolled, (3) the numbers required to bring the service up to full complement, (4) the methods of enrolment and the standards and qualifications required of the people deemed eligible for enrolment and (5) the method of advertisement for enrolment with details of when the last advertisement was placed in the media and what newspapers were used to carry the advertisement.
Written Answers. - Coast Life-Saving Service.
386.
The number of enrolled volunteers in the Coast Life-Saving Service at present is 661. At full strength the service numbers 779 volunteers. Enrolments are made at each station as and when vacancies occur but it would not be practicable to give the dates of enrolment of every individual volunteer over the years.
A candidate for enrolment is required to complete an application form giving his name, date of birth, occupation and distance of his residence from the station rocket house. No special qualifications are required but candidates should be under 50 years of age. Before an application for enrolment is accepted, however, the candidate should have attended one drill, so that the superintendent may satisfy himself as to the candidate's suitability.
Enrolment in the Coast Life-Saving Service, which is a voluntary service, is not advertised in the media, but is usually arranged at each station through the local No. 1 man, subject to approval by the district superintendent and my Department. In the case of the appointments of Nos. 1 and 2 men, however, who are in charge of the company and equipment, the superintendent can arrange for notification of the vacancies to be displayed in the local rocket house, the post office, the local employment exchange and the Garda barracks. The notification indicates that in these appointments preference is given to men with previous experience in the service and with seagoing experience.