Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when equipment will be installed at a station (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11336/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The equipment for the Marine Rescue Sub co-ordination Centre (MRSC) Malin Head was delivered in 2010. To enable the equipment to be installed, it is first necessary to undertake work to link the equipment in each of the three co-ordination centres together, the National Maritime Coordination Centre in Dublin and the MRSCs in Malin and Valentia, and to provide the necessary facilities to enable the new systems in Malin and Valentia to be progressively migrated onto the new technology. This work is currently in hands.

In the mean time the equipment in Malin will be installed in a temporary location in the Malin area in late 2011/early 2012 and the MRSC will go live on the new system during 2012. When the new building on the Malin Head MRSC site is completed in 2014, subject to funding, the ICS equipment will be re-installed there.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when staff will be appointed to a station (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11337/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 Guard staff. The Coast Guard review will also take account of efficiencies that may be possible due to the introduction of new technology. 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.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of premises for the Cleggan Coast Guard Services at Cluain Leacht an Abba, An Cloigeann, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11348/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Coast Guard chairs a project management group with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to oversee a building programme which commenced in 1998. This programme is to modernise the pre-1900's volunteer Station Houses around the coast, subject to funding.

Cleggan Coast Guard Unit is one of a number of Coast Guard units with such a building that have been identified as needing new premises. The Coast Guard has not yet found a suitable site. Contact was made with the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs regarding a proposed site, and discussions are ongoing. Any new development is subject to funding being available.