27/06/2014

One-Off Grant Announced For Mountain Rescue Services

A special one-off grant of €200,000 is to be made available for Mountain Rescue Ireland, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar and Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring have announced.

The ministers said that the funding would be used to purchase new vehicles and equipment.

Welcoming the announcement, Fine Gael Kerry TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Brendan Griffin, said: "I appreciate how valuable the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team is in my local area. The popularity of walking and hiking is increasing all the time, so it is extremely important that we have the backup of a fully equipped and well trained team.

"The Kerry Mountain Rescue Team was formed in 1966 following the deaths of two climbers and since then the team has done invaluable work in coming to the assistance of numerous climbers and walkers in distress.

"Kerry Mountain Rescue Team is run by highly skilled volunteers, who cover a huge area across the entire South West of the Country, including the peninsulas of Beara, Iveragh and Dingle. The team also come to the assistance of those in need on some of Ireland's highest peaks, including Carrauntoohil.

"Over two-thirds of the money needed to run Kerry Mountain Rescue is generated through fund raising, with the rest coming from Government or County Council Grants. Significant funding, such as that announced today, allocated specifically for rescue vehicles. is very welcome.

"Since coming into Government, funding for mountain rescue has stabilised with €363,000 now provided for day to day operations. Following consultation with Mountain Rescue Ireland, Minister Varakdar has decided to provide this special once-off grant of €200,000.

"I am sure this funding will prove very valuable in supporting the excellent work carried out by Kerry Mountain Rescue Team and other rescue teams across the country."

(MH/JP)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 October 2024
Grant Scheme To Boost Rural Businesses In Northern Ireland
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the launch of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. This initiative aims to provide financial support to micro businesses located in rural areas across Northern Ireland.
09 August 2007
Climber Rescued From Kerry Mountain
A man has been rescued from a ledge on the Connor Pass, north of Dingle in County Kerry. The climber got trapped on the ledge near Pedlars Lake at around 6.00pm on Wednesday evening and a rescue operation was immediately launched. The Dingle Cliff and Coastguard Rescue Team made contact with the man shortly before 9.30pm.
17 December 2009
Dog Survives Five Days Off Cliff
An aging dog named Sam has been saved in a dramatic rescue, after being stranded on a cliff edge for five days. The operation to save the stricken spaniel lasted some four hours, with a member of the Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue team abseiling eight metres down a rock face to where the dog was lodged in shrubbery on a narrow ledge.
29 September 2009
Rescue Team Recover Body Of Lost Hiker
A mountain rescue team has recovered the body of the hiker who had gone missing on a Connemara mountain. The 59-year-old hiker's body could not be recovered for almost 24 hours because of the inaccessibility of the location where he had fallen at the weekend.
17 February 2009
Wicklow Rescuers Win Accolade
The team credited with a dramatic mountain rescue operation last week in Co Wicklow is being honoured. Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gregory Campbell will tonight host an event to acknowledge the contribution of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team to the Northern Ireland community.