Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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7. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a capital grant scheme for mountain rescue organisations to enable the organisations, most of which are staffed by volunteers, to update or modernise equipment in view of the very welcome growth in adventure and activity related tourism which unfortunately at times requires the services of such mountain rescue organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54333/13]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am asking the Minister to consider the introduction of a modest capital grant scheme for Mountain Rescue Ireland and various other subsidiary bodies, for equipment and the replacement of jeeps and vans. Such vehicles are used to transport hard-working volunteers to their mountain bases to carry out their important rescue work.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In total there are 12 mountain rescue teams in Ireland. These teams, staffed by volunteers, are called upon to operate in all weather conditions and provide a hugely important service. As we approach the end of 2013, I want to thank them and all our volunteer rescue teams for the amazing work they do.

My Department, through the Irish Coast Guard, administers an annual grant scheme to Mountain Rescue Ireland, the umbrella organisation for mountain rescue teams on the island of Ireland. However, it is important to recognise that the Garda Síochána have responsibility for the co-ordination of mountain rescue teams under the framework for major emergency management. The Garda fall under the remit of the Department for Justice and Equality.

In administering this grant, my Department meets Mountain Rescue Ireland and relevant statutory bodies each year to review grant requests in accordance with a framework agreed some years ago. The grants paid to individual teams reflect the level of operations and expenditure of the teams. It is a matter for individual teams to decide how it is spent, as each team at local level develops its own administrative and operational practices.

In the year to date, some €186,000 has been paid in grant assistance to Mountain Rescue Ireland and its constituent teams. I am pleased to say that it has been possible to retain the grant at this level over the past few years. I will do so again in 2014. Mountain Rescue Ireland, as an all-island organisation, also avails of additional supports in Northern Ireland.

I am open to considering the introduction of a capital grant scheme, as proposed by the Deputy, and will ask my officials to engage with Mountain Rescue Ireland on the issues involved.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and concur with his remarks about the amazing work undertaken by volunteer mountain rescue teams. I recognise the current expenditure provided by the Department of Transport, which includes €7,400 to the Galway mountain rescue teams. I also acknowledge the Department's promotion of the hiking and walking sector which is growing. Volunteer rescue teams play an important role in this regard.

Current expenditure is hugely important but so is capital expenditure. I welcome the Minister's statement that he is open to the introduction of a modest capital scheme and that he will ask his officials to engage with Mountain Rescue Ireland. Other Departments, such as the Department of Health, have access to such funding. For example, the Galway Centre for Independent Living received €50,000 for a replacement mini-bus. I wonder if the Minister can get his hands on similar funding for mountain rescue schemes.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As far as I understand it, that applies to some of the existing grant schemes. In 2007, there was a funding scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector. There are one or two other schemes which have an arrangement with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I do not quite know the details of that, but there are some other things they can already apply for. However, what I have in mind, and what the Deputy is suggesting, is to allow for a certain number of minor capital grants from my Department, probably for equipment more than anything else. That money can be spent quite quickly. I will ask my officials to engage with such groups to see if we can do that for 2014.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his supplementary reply. While I will not say they are joined up, his Department, along with the Department of Justice and Equality, and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, are working to provide possible sources of funding. Perhaps there should be a more centralised funding system for voluntary groups so they can avail of €50,000 or €60,000 to replace vehicles.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I will certainly take the Deputy's comments on board.