Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
112. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the status of the construction of a coastguard station in an area (details supplied); if a contract has been signed as a result of the tendering process; when building will commence; the timeline for the building to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21745/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Irish Coast Coast Guard building programme – essentially aimed at ensuring Coast Guard Units along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through The Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) from planning design to build and on-going maintenance, with legal assistance as necessary from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The Greystones project has been a priority build on the Building Programme for the IRCG for a number of years. It has been the subject of a number of significant revisions in terms of plans primarily owing to excessive cost and affordability. The location of the site identified for the new Coast Guard station has also presented challenges particularly in terms of the requirement to ensure adequate storm resilience.
The OPW are actively engaged with Wicklow County Council in relation to the formal transfer of the site. Agreement has been reached with Wicklow County Council on site layout and parking requirements within the Harbour area subject to final approval and the formal site transfer is now progressing.
Final technical assessments of the agreed site and areas to be used by Coast Guard vehicles have been completed.
Planning Permission has been granted and once the site if formally transferred, the Department, the Irish Coast Guard and the Office of Public Works will progress the procurement process for a Contractor to complete the construction.
