Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current strength of the air sea rescue services; his intention and ability to retain and improve such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31720/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The responsibility for the coordination and deployment of Ireland's air sea rescue services rests with the Irish Coast Guard of my Department. The Coast Guard co-ordinates a multi-disciplinary approach in undertaking search and rescue operations. It has available to it a range of service providers and assets, including the National Maritime Operations Centre in Dublin and sub-centres in Malin and Valentia, fifty two volunteer Units located mainly around the coast, contracted search and rescue (SAR) helicopters, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and community rescue boat teams, air mobile fire and ambulance teams and a variety of other resources. I am satisfied that the approach taken in Ireland is on a par with other air sea rescue organisations throughout Europe.

Despite the current difficult financial climate continuous improvements are being made to our search and rescue services. In particular, three elements of the air sea rescue service are scheduled for improvement over the next 24 months. Firstly I have sanctioned a €2 million investment to upgrade the Coast Guard's boat and vehicle fleet. Secondly, following on from the recent opening of a new Coast Guard Station on Achill Island, two further volunteer stationhouses will open in Crosshaven and in Goleen, Co Cork in 2012. Thirdly, during 2012 and 2013 the Coast Guard will introduce a new generation of search and rescue helicopters to replace the existing fleet.

The Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter services operate around the clock from four bases around the country - Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford, flying some 2,700 hours per year. The number of missions has increased by 8% over the last four years and the number of persons assisted or saved by 33%.