Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 2

Written Answers. - Offshore Islands.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

36 Mr. Hughes asked the Taoiseach when the £1 million financial envelope for access and transport to the country's 21 inhabited islands, announced on 1 February 1996, will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18216/96]

Bertie Ahern

Question:

37 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the current position on the programme to improve the level of access services to offshore islands. [18643/96]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.

The report of the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development identifies and addresses the key issues that impact on the living standards of our offshore island communities. The report specifically identified access services as being the most important issue to be addressed in relation to the future economic and social development of offshore island communities. Accordingly, the Government has made available an additional £1 million this year specifically for the development of access services and related infrastructural work. As chairman of the interdepartmental committee, I have visited the islands and discussed with island communities all aspects of island life, including the issue of access. I have seen at first hand the conditions that many islanders have to face in travelling to and from the mainland and I fully appreciate the difficulties facing these remote communities.

In accordance with the recommendations of the island report, each of the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with their islands committees and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, prepared a prioritised programme of work in respect of access services to these islands. The proposed projects within the programmes have been assessed by the interdepartmental committee and recommendations on funding were subsequently made.

I have recently advised Galway, Mayo and Donegal County Councils of funding for projects included in their programmes of work. Details of Cork County Council's priority access project have just recently been received. These are currently being assessed by the interdepartmental committee and I expect to be in a position shortly to confirm funding for this project.

To date, a total of £242,250 has been made available to the relevant local authorities for access projects. A number of projects in the programmes of work are still under consideration and I hope to be able to announce further funding from the financial envelope shortly.

Projects Approved for Funding.

Donegal County Council			£
Inisbofin	— Dredge approach to pier	—	20,000
Inisfree	— Repairs to main pier/slipway	—	69,000
Arranmore	— Minor works at Leabgarrow	—	12,250
Burtonport	— Minor repairs to quay wall	—	6,000
Magheraroarty	— Feasibility study on major development work on pier	—	50,000
Total			157,250
Galway County Council
Inismór	— Feasibility study on:(i) new deep water pier(ii) extension of present pier and facilities	—	20,000
Inisbofin	— Feasibility study on the dredging of the harbour	—	20,000
Cleggan Pier	— Feasibility study on improvement works to the pier and commence work	—	20,000
Total			60,000
Mayo County Council
Clare Island	— Provision of helipad and lighting	—	15,000
Inisturk	— Provision of lighting for helpiped and pier	—	10,000
Total			25,000
Overall funding made available			242,250