Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:694. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Defence if there are plans to have LÉ Niamh undergo a mid-life refit. [33858/20]
View answerTuesday, 3 November 2020
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The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh.
The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in 2001. The service life of an Irish Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity, but usually is around 30 years. It is, however, normal practice in a ship’s life to carry out a Mid-Life Extension Programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty (or more) years.
The P50 class vessels, 21 and 19 years old this year, now fall into the category of ship requiring a mid-life extension programme. Due to their age profile, much of the auxiliary equipment onboard is coming to the end of its useful life or is becoming obsolete and requires to be replaced in a structured manner.
The Mid-Life Extension Programme of LÉ Róisín commenced in March 2019, with an initial dry-docking phase followed by an extended period of equipment upgrade and refit works. Works are progressing more slowly than planned due to the impact of COVID restrictions, however, the works are scheduled to be completed in early 2021. Once LÉ Róisin returns to full operational status, LÉ Niamh will be withdrawn from operations and the Mid-Life Extension Programme of works on LÉ Niamh will then commence. The works programme for LÉ Niamh is expected to follow similar upgrades and refit works as LÉ Róisin.