Funding sought for sub-aqua and rescue volunteers
Following on from a 21-day search on the River Shannon in Carrick-on-Shannon for a body post Christmas and subsequent online fundraising for volunteers, Independent TD Denis Naughten is calling for Government funding for sub-aqua rescue groups.
Deputy Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to establish a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups in the Dáil last week.
Deputy Naughten noted that “Families need closure. Without remains, they can never have that. Volunteers are going out in horrendous weather doing vital work, not only without financial assistance, but paying the operational costs out of their own pockets. It is not good enough.”
Responding, Deputy Jack Chambers stated that voluntary search and rescue groups “do not come under the aegis of the Department of Transport.” He explained that the department does support search and rescue activities of voluntary search groups involved in mountain and cave rescue and community rescue boats.
Deputy Naughten replied, “but when it comes to the inland waterways, the Minister washes his hands of it and tells us it is someone else's problem.”
He noted that the previous Minister of Sport said he could only give funding to sub-aqua clubs for sporting activity, not for search and recovery.
“The reality is that the only Minister who has given any support whatsoever to sub-aqua clubs in this country was Noel Dempsey, who was Minister for the environment years ago, when he waived the motor tax on search and recovery vehicles at my request,” he stated adding that these groups are “providing vital supports across this country.”
Deputy Chambers agreed that they provide a vital service and said he will reflect on the comments and engage with colleagues across departments on the issue.