Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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210. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the long-standing application with the OPW on the delivery of the new Coastguard Station in Kilmore Quay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18785/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Coast Guard, a Division of the Department of Transport, has 44 Coast Guard Units based in 58 coast guard stations around the country. The Coast Guard building programme, which includes the provision of new or upgraded facilities at a number of locations across the country, is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department of Transport, from planning design to build and on-going maintenance. These projects are funded by the Department of Transport.

My office provides advice and assistance on the design of such projects, site feasibility studies, acquisition of sites from the local authority or others, planning and detail design, and manages the delivery in line with the requirements of the Department of Transport and Coast Guard Service.

New accommodation for the Kilmore Quay Coast Guard Unit is included as one of the key priorities on this delivery programme. There were some delays in the identification and acquisition of a suitable site however in recent years the Commissioners of Public Works have acquired a site in Kilmore Quay from Wexford County Council and a feasibility study on a proposed new facility has been approved by the Coast Guard Service.

The next steps of this project will be progressed, including the appointment of full design team, progressing planning permission and the detailed design of the new facility subject to the availability of resources.