The funding is in addition to the revenue funding provided by the Department on an annual basis, which totals £86,000 this year.

The nine independent search and rescue groups deliver assistance to the emergency services and directly to the community. They provide lifesaving search and rescue on inland waterways, mountains and caves. They also provide a specialist search dog facility and support civil aviation with a sky watch service.

Permanent secretary Peter May said: “This vital funding will immediately benefit the voluntary search and rescue teams and their dedicated highly trained volunteers, to answer calls from people in distress.

“I fully appreciate the contribution made by the groups, and am delighted to be able to provide additional financial support to assist them in carrying out their vital work.”

He added: “Throughout Northern Ireland the public generously support search and rescue groups, allowing them to fund essential training and equipment. Without such donations and support these groups would not be as well equipped to assist those who need it most.”