Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 on 8 December 2009, if promised upgrades at a facility (details supplied) will be provided in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14841/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Refurbishment works are well advanced in the Leeson Lane building, and the installation of the new equipment is well underway. The testing of the installed Integrated Communications System (ICS) and the training for Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) staff will commence in May 2010. The ICS system is expected to be live by July. The dual operation of the new and old equipment in the Dublin will last for at least a four-week period, after which the MRCC function will transfer building later this year.

The equipment for Malin and Valentia Marine Rescue Sub Co-ordination Centres has been delivered to the Coast Guard Stores and will be activated as soon as possible. It is important that the current ICS systems in Valentia and Malin are not changed until Dublin is complete and connected to all radio sites so that the required redundancy is available. The adaptation of the buildings in Malin and Valentia to take the new configuration is awaiting an Office of Public Works report. It is anticipated that work will commence on one of the Centres in late 2010 and on the other building in 2011, subject to funding.