asked the Minister for the Marine the number of lifeboats positioned at strategic points around our coastline; the amount of moneys spent by his Department on such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Lifeboat Service.
5.
There are 29 lifeboats located at 27 lifeboat stations around the coast of Ireland. An annual grant of £100,000 is paid to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution out of my Department's Vote for the general purposes of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. In addition, £605,447 was paid in 1988 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution under the terms of the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust Act, 1988 and approximately £460,560 will be paid to Royal National Lifeboat Institution under the same arrangement in the current year to cover specific projects, principally the cost of the new relief Arun class lifeboat, Hibernia.