Green TD – Steven Matthews has called for a cross Departmental, collaborative approach to funding a new permanent premises for the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (DWMRT) in Roundwood. Deputy Matthews has met with Minister James Lawless and Minister Darragh O’Brien in recent days to seek significant state investment in this project and has also raised this with Wicklow County Council in conjunction with the board of DWMRT to progress this project.
Discussing the need to provide a permanent base for the group, Deputy Matthews said:
“The Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team operational 24/7 and respond to over 120 callouts per year. This is an entirely voluntary organisation that offer an incredible lifesaving service for locals and visitors alike that enjoy the incredible landscapes we have in Wicklow.
“For the last six years, DWMRT has been trying to build a mountain rescue base from which they can operate and in July 2020 they purchased a plot of land and subsequently got planning permission to build a base. The design is ready, they just need the centralised funding to back it up.
“The group are temporarily based out of Roundwood Garda Station, but this is not sustainable. They deserve to have their own premises to operate out of and safely store their equipment and vehicles.
“The group has raised a significant amount of money through fundraising efforts and this needs to be matched with Government support. This group has been historically underfunded as their role falls between several Government departments, meaning that they often can’t qualify for community funding grants.
“Previous attempts at securing funding have failed due to the service falling across a number of different Government Departments. However, that may be able to be used as a strength if smaller levels of funding can be sought individually from Wicklow County Council and the Departments of Health, Transport and Rural Affairs rather than one larger funding stream.
“I will continue to work with the various Government Departments and Wicklow County Council to secure funding for a permanent home for the volunteers in the Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, concluded Deputy Matthews.
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