Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration is being given to assisting mountain rescue teams with the purchase of new vehicles which are essential in the performance of the organisation's duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the current arrangements concerning mountain rescue teams (MRTs) creates some confusion. Under Ireland's Framework for Emergency Management, MRTs fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality and are coordinated and tasked by An Garda Síochána. However, my Department does administers a grant scheme to the mountain rescue teams and the Coast Guard also chair the National Coordinating Committee for Mountain and Cave Rescue (NCCMCR). This creates a level of confusion as to which Department is responsible for funding and supporting MRTs. I have discussed this with my colleague Minister Fitzgerald and we are keen to examine this issue and end the perception of MRTs falling between two stools, so to speak.

Separate to this, on foot of Deputy Kyne's suggestion late last year, I undertook to consider the possibility of providing a capital grant to assist mountain rescue services. I asked my officials to examine this. Given the role of MRTs in supporting participation in mountaineering and hill walking, I am now in a position to announce a special once-off sports capital allocation of €200,000 to mountain rescue services. These funds are to be used for the purchase of vehicles and equipment, with the precise details to be arranged between my Department and Mountain Rescue Ireland.