asked the Minister for Finance whether his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) of special concessions to be granted to certain non-Gaeltacht islands; whether he will confirm the details of that report and in particular whether similar concessions will be granted to all non-Gaeltacht islanders off the South West Cork coast.
Written Answers. - Non-Gaeltacht Islands.
71.
I am aware of the newspaper report to which the Deputy refers. The measures referred to were in fact decided upon by the Government in February 1979 and are aimed at improving conditions on inhabited non-Gaeltacht islands off the west coast including those islands off the south west Cork coast. These measures were based on proposals put forward by the Central Development Committee, which reports to me, and include the provision of electricity on certain islands, improvements in assistance for housing, improvements to water supply, sanitary services and communications, general economic development and community development.
The implementation of the various proposals is primarily the responsibility of the appropriate Departments and agencies while my Department has an over-all monitoring responsibility through a special sub-committee of the Central Development Committee.