Minister of State Seán Canney has launched a new national website for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), coastguard.gov.ie, offering dedicated guidance on water and coastal safety, recruitment information and Coast Guard news. The site is one element of sustained modernisation and investment across the service.

The launch forms part of the Stewardship – Leading Together Transformation Programme, which is designed to future-proof Coast Guard operations. The programme has delivered increased resourcing, upgraded and new facilities, enhanced training, and strengthened safety, quality control and governance. Minister Canney has also brought a Memo to Cabinet providing an update on progress.

Milestones highlighted include completion of an organisational review and an independent review of the role of the Coast Guard volunteer; organisational changes to reinforce governance, engineering capability, volunteer support and emergency co-ordination; stronger audit, procurement and project oversight; and training, leadership and recognition initiatives now in development. The Coast Guard continues to engage closely with its representative body, CUAG.

A seamless transition to the new Coast Guard aviation contract has been achieved, with services operating from helicopter bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin (Weston), alongside a new fixed-wing service at Shannon. At sea, a procurement programme is under way to renew the search and rescue vessel fleet with new rigid-hull inflatable boats and inshore rescue boats, with the first delivery expected next year and phased arrivals to 2031. New operational boat suits have been introduced for boat crews, and drone capability has been expanded to extend coverage in a wider range of conditions. Digital upgrades are advancing, including the first dedicated IRCG website; replacement of IT hardware across all 44 units; and future phases that will introduce dedicated Coast Guard accounts and a single digital identity for all personnel. These will enable a new mobile-based paging and alerting system, a Volunteer Management System and productivity tools to enhance communication, training and co-ordination. Work is also progressing on digital services for search and rescue, including new drift-modelling software, replacement alerting systems and a national communications systems replacement project.

The programme is improving career pathways and development opportunities for volunteers, with initiatives to support greater female participation in search and rescue. The IRCG published a new Communications Strategy and a Buildings Strategy in 2025, and has maintained strong national and international engagement by hosting major SAR and maritime safety events each year. Reviews have commenced of the National Search and Rescue Plan (NSP) and the National Maritime Oil/HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NCP).

So far this year, the service has responded to 2,500 incidents, with 4,218 people receiving lifesaving assistance. Summer 2026 was particularly busy, with an 11% rise in incidents compared with the same period in 2025.

Minister of State with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, Seán Canney, said: "The Irish Coast Guard's new standalone website, coastguard.gov.ie, reflects the vital role which this service provides in communities nationwide. As a principal emergency service of the State, I am delighted to see the Irish Coast Guard evolving and progressing, in line with the ambitions as envisaged in our Programme for Government.

"Volunteers and staff support a 24/7 service, providing reassurance and peace of mind to all those who live, travel and work along our coastline. It is fantastic to see so many significant milestones reached which can already be seen in the tangible updates to equipment, technology and facilities, and the overarching support being provided through enhanced recruitment, training, safety and governance."