Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 594: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of impending retirements, whether the full complement of staff will be maintained at Valentia coast guard radio station now and into the future in view of the fact that this is a frontline emergency service; if he will fasttrack the installation of urgently needed equipment at Valentia coast guard radio station; when he expects responsibility for this service to be transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26226/11]

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

As part of the Public Service Agreement and the Civil Service wide review of staffing levels and structures, my Department is carrying out a strategic review of the maritime sector to achieve efficiencies in marine survey functions and the marine emergency service. Fisher Associates have been appointed by my Department to review the current delivery of services by the Coast Guard and the Marine Survey Office.

Currently there is a moratorium on recruitment, however essential staff at the Rescue Centres are being replaced on retirement. Three Watch officers have been recruited recently and are under training and a further ten watch officers are being called from the current recruitment panel to maintain staffing levels at the three Centres including Valentia.

In relation to the installation of equipment at the Rescue Co-ordination Centres, there are four main phases. Phase one, installation of National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) Dublin and east coast radio sites is complete. Phase two, installation of ICS equipment, is well underway with an expected completion date of the end of October 2011. Phase three will see the completion of Malin by end June 2012 and phase four, Valentia, by end 2012.

In relation to the move of the Coast Guard Functions to the Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food, officials of my Department are engaged in discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food on the matter. Discussions have also taken place with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to a number of complex legal issues arising in the transfer. These discussions are not yet complete.