Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1259: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will afford Kerry Mountain Rescue volunteers the assurance that he will provide sufficient increased grant aid to mountain rescue teams for the purchase of insurance in order that the protection obtained is equivalent to the protection enjoyed by members of the Garda in the same circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2339/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Members of An Garda Síochána are State employees who receive State protection under the Garda Síochána Compensation Act 1941, whereas Mountain Rescue Team members are private persons who volunteer Search and Rescue assistance.

Insurance cover is an eligible expenditure for grant aid to Mountain Rescue Teams. The Coast Guard will shortly consider the distribution of the 2007 grant aid to the Teams.

Talks are ongoing between the Coast Guard and the Irish Mountain Rescue Association (IMRA) concerning agreed structures dealing with standards, equipment, training and call-out procedures on a national level. These are aimed at improving the service delivery and will provide added protection for IMRA team members.