Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the final approval and the formal site transfer from Wicklow County Council to his Department for the Coast Guard station at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/22]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe between the formal site transfer of a site (details supplied) to his Department and the beginning of the procurement process for a contractor to complete the construction; the amount of funding that has been set aside for same; the budget from which this will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23654/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.

My Department is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard building programme – essentially aimed at ensuring Coast Guard Units along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through The Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) from planning design to build and on-going maintenance, with legal assistance as necessary from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.

Project 2040 provides for increased capital funding for the IRCG towards the building and renovation costs of Coast Guard stations on the Building Programme, including projects such as Greystones.

The IRCG is fully committed to providing this much needed facility for the Greystones Unit. This has been a priority build for the IRCG  for a number of years. It has been the subject of a number of significant revisions in terms of plans primarily owing to  excessive cost and affordability. The location of the site identified for the new Coast Guard station has also presented challenges particularly in terms of the requirement to ensure adequate storm resilience.

The OPW are actively engaged with Wicklow County Council in relation to the conclusion of the formal transfer of the site identified for the new Coast Guard Station in Greystones.

Agreement has been reached with Wicklow County Council on the specific details of the site layout and parking requirements within the Harbour area. 

Final technical assessments of the agreed site and areas to  be used by Coast Guard vehicles have been completed.

Planning Permission has been granted and once the site is formally transferred the Department, the Irish Coast Guard and the Office of Public Works will progress the procurement process for a Contractor to complete the construction.  This is expected to be completed by Quarter 4 2022.