Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has made any representations to the Department of Finance in order to have organisations engaged in mountain rescue exempt from VAT. [27227/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Exemption from VAT is entirely a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and my colleague the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan. I have not made representations to Minister Noonan to have mountain rescue organisations exempted from VAT. In recent exchanges with representatives of the organisations, both my officials and I have advised that it would be more appropriate for them to contact the Department of Finance in relation to this.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the introduction of a capital grant scheme for the voluntary mountain rescue teams such as the Galway Mountain Rescue Team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27110/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I refer to my answer to question 26 earlier.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the establishment of a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27102/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In terms of supporting mountain rescue teams (MRTs) I refer the Deputy to my answer to question 26 to Deputy Kyne earlier today.  

I appreciate greatly the support that volunteer diving teams provide to the Coast Guard and the other emergency services. For the Deputy's information my Department, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), is responsible for the initiation, control and coordination of maritime emergencies in the Irish territorial waters, harbours and coastline. The Coast Guard carries out this function utilising its own assets and declared resources. Diving support to the IRCG is provided in the first instance by the Garda Water Unit and the Navy Diving team.  Volunteer diving teams do on occasion offer assistance but in such scenarios their participation is based on an offer of support.

Under previous rounds of the Sports Capital Programme grants have been allocated to sub aqua rescue clubs. Regrettably, in terms of the establishment of a specific grant scheme for such bodies, it is not envisaged that any funding assistance will be extended to sub aqua rescue or recovery groups at present.