Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will co-ordinate a multi-departmental approach to financing Mountain Rescue Ireland, in view of the recent significant increase in mountain climbing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I wish at the outset to acknowledge the excellent work done by voluntary rescue organisations which include Mountain Rescue Ireland. (MRI). The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for administering payment of grants to all the mountain rescue teams in Ireland. This scheme is managed by the Irish Coast Guard as Chair of the National Co-ordinating Committee for Mountain and Cave Rescue. The Coast Guard similarly administers payments of grants to other rescue organisations such as the Community Rescue Boats of Ireland (CRBI) and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO).

In some instances organisations such as Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) can make applications to other Departments and agencies under various funding schemes. I understand, for example, that the MRI will received significant funding this year from the Deptartment of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs under the framework for supporting voluntary activity, in addition to the €191,000 received from my Department. It is important that voluntary organisations that meet qualifying criteria can seek funding from a variety of sources. As such I do not see an advantage for MRI in changing the current arrangements.