Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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219. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will seek EU funding to cover the costs of replacement of the two customs cutter vessels; and if the contract for the replacement of these vessels has been put out to tender. [19341/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by Revenue that it has two cutters (patrol vessels) in service at the moment. One of those vessels is approaching the end of its service life and Revenue intends to purchase a replacement vessel.

An application for partial funding under the ‘Union Anti-Fraud Programme (EUAF)’ towards the cost of a replacement cutter was submitted in 2022 and was successful. A Request for Tender for a replacement cutter was published in the Official Journal of the EU in October 2022 and included an option for a second vessel, which could be a replacement for Revenue’s second vessel in time. Tenders were received in February 2023 and are currently under evaluation.

This Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of functions that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration. The necessary funding for the existing cutters and their eventual replacement has come from and will come from a combination of State resources and available EU funds.