Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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307. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the location of each of the 58 Coast Guard stations which are operational; if they have Internet access, running water and bathroom facilities; and the Coast Guard stations that have been identified for upgrades in tabular form. [12623/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Irish Coast Guard, a Division of my Department, has 44 Units based in 58 coast guard stations.

The Coast Guard building programmes are managed by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, from planning design to build and on-going maintenance. These projects are funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Coast Guard in conjunction with the Office of Public Works design new station houses and the OPW engage in discussions with the Local Authorities in respect of certain key issues. The rate of progress on these projects will depend on the timelines required for the various phases, the capital funding and other resources available; matters are being overseen and closely monitored by the Coast Guard personnel in my Department. As new build projects are completed, additional projects are put on the IRCG Building Programme.

Medium sized build projects, costs estimated at over €750,000, are managed by OPW Property Management Section and are overseen by an OPW Senior Architect; the medium sized projects currently being undertaken include new IRCG Stations in Westport, Greystones and Kilmore Quay; there are a number of other projects in the initial stages included in this programme, all on green field sites.

Smaller upgrading and renovation projects are managed by OPW Property Maintenance Section and undertaken by the Regional OPW offices, where feasible, on the current footprint of existing IRCG Volunteer Stations. These projects include the updating and improving of Unit facilities including toilets and running water.

The Office of Public Works has undertaken the assessment of IRCG Rocket Houses, to ascertain where current basic facilities can be upgraded to include toilets. These Rocket Houses have long been identified as being in need of more suitable facilities and are now mainly in use as secondary Unit buildings. Due to the nature, design and footprint of these Rocket Houses, it is not always feasible to extend. A trial project for the inclusion of compostable toilets in these circumstances is currently being undertaken.

The IRCG and Maritime Services Division are currently undertaking a review of broadband provision in all Unit and Sub-Unit Buildings.

Please see the following list of the coastguard stations that have been identified for upgrades in tabular form.