Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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417. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the mid-life refit of the LÉ Roisin. [19082/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The service life of an Irish Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity, but usually is around 30 years.  It is, however, normal practice in a ship’s life to carry out a mid-life refurbishment/extension programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty (or more) years. The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK.  LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999 and falls into the category of ship requiring a mid life refit programme of works.

Due to its age profile, much of the auxiliary equipment onboard is coming to the end of its useful life or is becoming obsolete and requires to be replaced in a structured manner.  In this regard the Naval Service have, along with my Department,  commenced a planned programme of works to ensure that the vessel will maintain its operational capabilities and reliabilities.  Works commenced in 2019 on LÉ Róisín with Phase 1 which involved the dry-docking of the vessel.

Works have continued and are ongoing despite the onset of Covid 19 which has had an effect on the timely delivery of certain parts and services. Notwithstanding the impact of Covid 19 on the supply chain and the carrying out of certain works as originally scheduled, the civil military team managing the project have adapted to the situation and have made the necessary arrangements to ensure that the project progresses to completion. The expected timeframe for delivery and acceptance of the refitted vessel is now October of this year.