TWO Fermanagh based search and rescue teams have been granted funding of £37,000 by Justice Minister David Ford.

The North West Mountain Rescue Team (NWMRT) will receive £25,000 and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation will recieve £11,682.50 for 2015-16.

In January, The Impartial Reporter highlighted the fact that the 20-member North West Mountain Rescue West team (with a vehicle based in Enniskillen police station) had their government funding cut.

This was because the responsibility for voluntary search and rescue organisations transferred from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure to the Department of Justice meaning that search and rescue teams were subject to a competitive bid process.

Today, Justice Minister David Ford has announced that Executive funding available to voluntary organisations providing search and rescue services has doubled from £46,000 to £90,000.

It will assist the seven voluntary organisations within the Northern Ireland Practitioners Group who bid for funding to allow them to continue their work.

Minister Ford said: “Search and rescue services play a significant, potentially life-saving role each year across Northern Ireland. I want to thank all the voluntary groups for the important work that they undertake. The commitment and dedication shown by volunteers 365 days a year is vital in supporting the work of the statutory agencies. I am impressed at the strong level of partnership and cooperation.

“I am, therefore, pleased to announce that my Department will double the overall funding, to over £90,000, to help these organisations continue their work.

“While the financial contribution that I have announced today will go some way to assisting these teams they will continue to need the support of the wider community in their fundraising activities.” The minister met the NWMRT in January during the search for Emyvale man Kieran McAree.