They were praised for selfless acts during Storm Ophelia and during Storm Emma, but fears have been raised about the declining number of Civil Defence volunteers in Cork city and county. In 2013, there were 354 Civil Defence volunteers, working in four divisions in the city and county. The Department of Defence provides about 70% of annual funding for Civil Defence units. His party colleague, Des O’Grady, described the members of Civil Defence as “the poor relation of the emergency services”. Cork County Council officials said the council continuously monitors Civil Defence expenditure and, in the context of the response to recent storm events, “additional funding will be sought, as appropriate”.

Source: Irish Examiner April 01, 2018 23:03 UTC