€200k handed to mountain rescue as one-off grant

A special one-off grant of €200,000 has been awarded to Mountain Rescue Ireland, as the number of rescues has increased nearly four-fold over the past 10 years.

€200k handed to mountain rescue as one-off grant

A special one-off grant of €200,000 has been awarded to Mountain Rescue Ireland, as the number of rescues has increased nearly four-fold over the past 10 years.

The Transport Minister Leo Varadkar today announced the grant, which will be used to buy new vehicles and equipment.

“Mountain rescue teams play a hugely important role in supporting trekkers and mountaineers," Minister Varadkar said.

“My Department has stabilised current funding for mountain rescue since the general election, providing €363,000 for day to day operations since then.

"But having met Mountain Rescue Ireland earlier this year, and discussed ongoing issues with equipment and vehicles, we also decided to provide a special once-off sports capital allocation."

Chris England from Mountain Rescue Ireland said the grant amounts to almost a full years' running costs, and comes after their funding was cut by around 40% between 2008 and 2012.

Minister Varadkar said he also plans to discuss the oversight arrangements with the Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald. Currently, mountain rescue teams are tasked by gardaí, funding is organised by the Department of Transport, and the Coast Guard chairs the coordinating committee.

Varadkar said a better arrangement was needed.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

National Risk Assessment for Ireland Medicine-resistant infections the biggest risk facing Ireland, experts warn
Record level of children and adults in emergency accommodation Record level of children and adults in emergency accommodation
'Very high likelihood' of further cyberattacks on Irish IT systems 'Very high likelihood' of further cyberattacks on Irish IT systems
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited