Coast Guard Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Ceisteanna (144)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

144. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a new facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50633/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Irish Coast Guard Building Programme is delivered by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and funded by my Department. The provision of a new station building for the Ballyglass/ Belmullet Coast Guard Unit is part of the new build programme. OPW are currently working to identify the most suitable site to provide this facility for the Unit.

OPW’s internal Property Acquisition Section (PAS) has recently completed a full trawl and investigation of the market to identify any possible options that would be suitable to provide a new facility for the unit.

OPW Property Management has received a report from PAS outlining a number of possible options and a senior architect has been appointed to the project team to carry out the feasibility studies of these sites. This process is currently underway and Property Management are expecting feedback shortly.