Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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999. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase the financial allocation to Mountain Rescue Ireland and to Galway Mountain Rescue in view of an improving budgetary situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19846/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises and acknowledges the contribution that Galway Mountain Rescue Team and Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) make to their communities, and indeed to the general public. As the Deputy is aware, my Department, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), administers a grant for Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), including Galway MRT and MRI. Other voluntary search and rescue groups in receipt of grant funding from my Department include the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) and 12 individual Community Rescue Boat (CRBIs) teams. In 2014 a total of €250,000 was paid in grants to these voluntary organisations. I can confirm that the grants are being maintained at this level for the current year also.  In addition, in 2014 my Department granted a special once-off capital grant of €200,000 to Mountain Rescue Ireland, the all-island overarching body responsible for mountain rescue, for the purchase of vehicles which I believe was drawn down just last week. 

As I have previously indicated to the House, MRTs are not tasked directly by the IRCG, rather they are tasked by An Garda Síochána, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.  While I accept the vital nature of the commitment made by these voluntary groups, I believe that within the IRCG, budgetary priority must be given to the primary responsibility of providing a marine emergency response service. The IRCG has a responsibility to equip and train approx. 918 Volunteers from 44 Volunteer Units around the Country. Each Unit is subject to operational readiness audits to ensure they are positioned to provide a safe and effective service.

Therefore, with the current and competing pressures among the budgets in my portfolio, I cannot commit to any increase in funding at this present moment.