As I have already indicated to the House it is my intention that all island communities will have adequate and suitable access to the mainland. My Department is in the process of finalising a comprehensive analysis of the access requirements of all our populated offshore islands. As the Deputy is aware I announced capital funding last year of over £1.7 million towards access infrastructure for the inhabited islands off the coast of County Cork.
I hope to be in a position to make a decision with regard to the subsidisation of ferry services for the islands in question by the end of June. The Deputy is aware that the ferry services to Oileán Chléire are already being subsidised. It is my intention that subsidies will be provided elsewhere as necessary after public advertisement inviting tenders for the provision of those services.