Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40301/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Coast Guard, a Division within the Department of Transport, has 44 Volunteer Units based around the coast of Ireland. The Coast Guard building programme, which includes the provision of new or upgraded facilities for volunteers, is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department of Transport.

The OPW provides advice and assistance on the design of projects, site feasibility studies, acquisition of sites, planning and detail design, contractor procurement and manages the delivery in line with the requirements of the Department of Transport and Coast Guard Service.

The new Coast Guard Station in Westport includes construction of a two storey accommodation block and a single storey boathouse and vehicle store. Proposed external finishes comprise Irish stone cladding, smooth render, sedum blanket roofing, asphalt roofing and metal framed windows. The development will also include a new access road to the north west of the site and a new vehicular access point to the north east corner of the site, three number flag poles, one number radio aerial mast and entrance signage, provision of 12 no. car parking spaces on hard landscaping and associated site works and planting.

The Contract for works was placed with MVS Construction Ltd. on 29 January 2024. The Contract price was €4,691,817.66 ex. VAT. The total project cost including all fees, % for Art and VAT is expected to be €6.879m.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2025.