Written answers

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Irish Coast Guard

9:00 pm

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 181: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Irish Coast Guard is now not being allowed to replace staff who are retiring; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that by the end of 2011 this will result in a shortage of nine radio officers. [10915/11]

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result of a shortage of staff in the Irish Coast Guard, the ability of the Irish Coast Guard to provide a search and rescue service is severely restricted and his views that the consequences of this staff shortage, if not addressed urgently, could potentially lead to loss of life at sea. [10916/11]

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 183: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that permission was granted to replace three radio officers on the Irish Coast Guard who retired in 2010, a panel of 15 was selected but owing to the slow recruiting process, no new officers have taken up their posts and with a three-month training process, it will mean that new staff are required immediately to avoid the collapse of the Irish search and rescue network. [10917/11]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together.

The Coast Guard is continuing to provide full day and night watch and rescue co-ordination services utilising the three centres in Dublin (National Maritime Operations Centre), Malin and Valentia.

As part of my Department's commitment to the modernisation of the Coast Guard communications and coordination system a new national maritime communications infrastructure is being rolled out which will, when fully implemented, allow for greater interoperability and work sharing by the three centres. For example, work currently being undertaken on the project will facilitate the connection of the entire communications grid later this year, thus enabling greater efficiencies to be realised across the three co-ordination centres at that time.

My Department undertook, as part of the Croke Park Agreement, to carry out a strategic review of the Irish Coast Guard, including the watch manning system which accounts for the majority of the Coast Guards staff. The Coast Guard review will also take account of efficiencies that may be possible due to the introduction of the new technology referred to earlier.

Three new Watch Officers are expected to be in position by next month and to have completed their training by the autumn. Further recruitment from the existing panel will be the subject of discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance following on from the strategic review. Recognising the challenges faced by long lead-in times for the recruitment and training of Watch Officers, I intend to have the review completed as quickly as possible.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.