Vol. 515 No. 5
30 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will give details of the regular helicopter service promised to the islands during the winter months; and her views on whether this service is adequate. [5931/00]
The Deputy will be aware that, for a number of years now, Údarás na Gaeltachta has, in co-operation with the North Western Health Board, provided a scheduled winter helicopter service to Tory Island, County Donegal. Recently I came to an agreement, after discussions with Údarás na Gaeltachta, to reimburse it the cost of providing this and the Tory Island ferry service as part of my Department's policy of bringing all access services to the islands under the auspices of the one body. In addition to the scheduled Tory Island helicopter service, an arrangement exists with the Department of Defence for the provision of an emergency helicopter service to the islands where feasible on occasions when no other means of access are available.
While there are, with the exception of Tory Island, currently no scheduled helicopter services to the islands, quite significant progress has been made in improving the access requirements of the islands since my appointment and I intend to continue with this work for the remainder of my term of office.
The present arrangement provides the optimum service to the islanders allowing for the funds available and the relative costs of helicopter and boat services. Progress is being made in relation to the provision of airstrips on a number of offshore islands also.
