Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Offshore Islands.

Michael Ring

Question:

32 Mr. Ring asked the Taoiseach the current position in relation to subsidies for non-Gaeltacht islands; and the commitment, if any, the Government has given to give subsidies to passenger boat owners to survive in the winter months. [5713/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

33 Mr. Ring asked the Taoiseach the grants paid to Gaeltacht islands to subsidise passenger ferries and boats during the winter months. [5714/97]

The Taoiseach

In 1996 the Department of the Taoiseach inherited responsibility for the provision of all-year-round cargo-passenger services in respect of two ferry contracts to the Aran Islands: cargo-passenger service from Galway city — £550,000 per annum; passenger service from Rossaveal, County Galway — £60,000 per annum.

In line with its special responsibility in relation to Gaeltacht islands, in the context of its overall responsibility for the Gaeltacht region, the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht last year provided a grant of £45,615 towards the cost of operating the ferry service to Cape Clear, County Cork. In addition, Údarás na Gaeltachta contributed £31,500 in 1996 towards the cost of operating the ferry service to Tory Island, County Donegal. It is expected that the level of assistance provided in 1996 in respect of these two ferry services will be maintained this year.

The report of the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on island development clearly identified access services as the priority issue facing offshore island communities. Mechanisms have been established involving the island themselves, whereby projects to improve islands access have been selected and prioritised at a local level. On the basis of these priority projects, funding amounting to £1 million has been made available from the Exchequer between 1996 and 1997, via the relevant local authorities and on foot of recommendations of the inter-departmental co-ordinating committee. In addition to access funding, £1 million is being made available this year specifically for priority infrastructural projects on islands.

Additional proposals to improve access to offshore islands, including subsidies for passenger ferry services, are being considered by the inter-departmental co-ordinating committee in the context of the policy framework set out in the islands report and of available funding.