Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will review funding levels for the Irish Coast Guard and search and rescue services operating along the north Kerry coastline, including Ballybunion, in view of ongoing rescue incidents and identified risks in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66765/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Irish Coast Guard is a pillar within the Department of Transport under the leadership of a dedicated Assistant Secretary General. All Coast Guard functions are fully funded through the Departmental Vote and reviewed as part of the annual budgetary process.

The Department of Transport through the Irish Coast Guard administer an annual maintenance grant for each of the independent Community Rescue Boats of Ireland teams which are declared resources to the Coast Guard. This maintenance grant was supplemented in 2024 and 2025 with additional grant funding to support specific maritime safety training for those teams and in preparation for the implementation of new Rescue Boat Guidelines as a modern, common standard for safety assurance within Search and Rescue.

The Department of Transport and Irish Coast Guard have engaged with other relevant stakeholders, notably Water Safety Ireland, in maritime safety on an appropriate funding model for these independent Community Rescue Boats of Ireland and expect to make progress on this through 2026.

Both the Ballybunion and Glenderry Coast Guard Units operate within the North Kerry area and are integral components of the Irish Coast Guard. Each Coast Guard Unit is fully equipped and resourced by the organisation, including the provision of all search and rescue equipment and access to training in relevant operational disciplines. Coast Guard Units function under the Irish Coast Guard’s Safety Management System, ensuring compliance with established standards and procedures.

The IRCG believes that all identified risks in the North Kerry area are already mitigated with current resources. These include the Shannon-based Rescue 115 Coast Guard helicopter, the new fixed-wing Coast Guard aircraft, and the presence of IRCG units, RNLI, and CRBI teams. All operate in a complementary and supportive manner.