Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details on funding for the Irish Coast Guard in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and his plans to improve or discontinue service coverage in any parts of the country. [35368/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Coast Guard provides maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) through its three Rescue Co-ordination Centres and dedicated search and rescue units (SRUs). These SRUs comprise of the SAR helicopters and Coast Guard volunteer Units. SRUs are also 'declared' to the Coast Guard from the RNLI, with which the Coast Guard has a very close working relationship.

As is recommended practice worldwide, Search and Rescue in Ireland is built upon the Rescue Centres listening for and receiving distress messages, responding to and sending and co-ordinating SRUs to and at the scene of an incident. The Coast Guard depends on the SAR Helicopters, Coast Guard Volunteer Units and RNLI lifeboats to respond to vessels or persons in distress at sea. The network of SRUs has been built up over many years and today provide an excellent network of response units to respond to persons in distress.

The location, distribution and response service provided by Coast Guard assets are kept under continuous review with the view to development and improvement in the delivery of SAR services around the country. The Coast Guard are working to improve buildings around the coast and are currently introducing upgraded all-terrain vehicles and climbing unit vans. Additionally trials are taking place at present on new boats as part of a renewal process. ​ There are no current plans to discontinue or downgrade any of the services provided around the coast.