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Coast Guard Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Questions (209, 210, 211, 212, 213)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

209. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish citizens have provided civilian search and rescue to the Irish Coast Guard for over 20 years; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that should he accept the submission of the Air Corps, these persons will be made redundant. [25389/21]

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Cathal Crowe

Question:

210. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the process that was deployed in rigorously evaluating the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue services to the State March 2021. [25390/21]

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Cathal Crowe

Question:

211. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the redacted version of the Air Corps submission on the provision of military search and rescue service to the State in March 2021. [25391/21]

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Cathal Crowe

Question:

212. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he deployed a process to evaluate the Air Corps submission on the provision military search and rescue service to the State in March 2021; and if so, the recommendation of that evaluation. [25392/21]

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Cathal Crowe

Question:

213. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to modify the current policy on the provision of search and rescue services from a single provider to more than one provider. [25393/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 213, inclusive, together.

The current helicopter service contract between the then Minister for Transport and CHC Ireland DAC commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years. It contains an option to extend for a period(s) up to a further 3 years. The contract has been extended initially for one year to July 2023 to facilitate the procurement of a new service in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements and a seamless transition from one service to another.

In November 2019 the Department of Transport commenced a process to prepare for the next iteration of the Coast Guard Aviation service. This involved an extensive consultation process with all key State and other SAR stakeholders to consider the scope and demand for the service over the lifetime of a new contract.

An initial report was brought to Government in July last, following approval by a Steering Group of State stakeholders. This report included a strategic assessment, setting out the context for the SAR aviation programme, an organisational overview, and a survey of existing policies and strategies relevant to the programme. It identified the spending objectives of the programme, including existing arrangements and relevant business needs. It also included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including the State assuming full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated IRCG Aviation Branch. Both were ruled out for a variety of reasons. The process is now at detailed business case stage which is focused on the remaining viable options. While it is not envisaged that the Air Corps take full responsibility for this service on the basis of that initial assessment, my Department was asked by the Department of Defence to explore the viability of the Air Corps providing some element of the SAR aviation service.

The Air Corps submission that the Deputy refers to was received by my Department last March and is being reviewed as part of the preparation of a detailed business case on the entire IRCG aviation service. This is part of a deliberative process which will lead to a Government decision in due course and on which it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

To be clear, I have no role in the business case development. This is being led by KPMG and a Project Team which includes officials in my Department and independent expertise. The outcome of this will be brought to Government shortly.

All relevant and reliable information on the current status of this project can be found on our dedicated SAR Webpage – Irish Coast Guard: Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation Project.

Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 209.
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