Departmental Funding

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Questions (333)

Michael Cahill

Question:

333. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide funding to a voluntary organisation in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34236/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I wish to advise that my Department, through the Irish Coast Guard, is responsible for administrative arrangements of an annual maintenance grant for each of the eleven independent Community Rescue Boats of Ireland teams which are declared resources to the Coast Guard, including Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue.

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.

As part of its ongoing governance arrangements for the grant, the department and the 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 complete this work shortly.