Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
196. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to remove the Irish Coast Guard all-weather search and rescue helicopter from Waterford; the reason for this proposal; if he will ensure that the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter will be retained in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3089/22]
View answer198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the pre-qualification questionnaire published on E-Tenders for the new Coast Guard Aviation Service does not specify the number of bases and their locations; his plans to reduce the number of bases; the reason the number of Irish Coast Guard bases that will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 198 together.
I can confirm that a Search and Rescue Base will continue to be located in Waterford.
On 27 July 2021, the Government agreed to commence the formal procurement process for a new Coast Guard aviation service. The decision was based on a detailed appraisal and business case prepared in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
On 20th December 2021, the first stage of the process commenced, the release on eTenders of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Response document for candidates to complete. The PQQ sets out certain criteria to determine which Operators have the capacity to perform the contract.
On 25 January, my Department announced that the PQQ will be amended to specify the number and location of Search and Rescue (SAR) bases to reflect the existing configuration, namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.
The information released in the PQQ listed the IRCG’s minimum requirements. The detailed specification will be available at the next stage of the competition, that is when the Request for Tender (RFT) is released to the market by end of March 2022. The indicative date for award of contract is March 2023.
Please visit our dedicated SAR Webpage for all relevant information and any further clarity on the PQQ that will be also be posted via eTenders.
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/
