Vol. 557 No. 2
267 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which the grant of ?8.5 million to be allocated by the Office of Public Works for improving facilities relating to the Great Blasket Island is to be divided among the projects which are to be undertaken on the Great Blasket Island and in providing access to the island. [21844/02]
The main projects proposed to be undertaken within the financial envelope of €8.5 million to support development and conservation work on the Great Blasket over the three year period from 2003 to 2005 are as follows: further studies to assist the development of a management plan for the island; acquisition of holdings; capital costs of a new slipway on the island; capital costs of upgrading the slipway at Dún Chaoin; conservation of buildings; and annual conservation and maintenance and management costs. An architectural assessment of the deserted village and a feasibility study in relation to the piers are currently being carried out on behalf of my Department. Pending completion of this work and of negotiations regarding acquisition of holdings, it would not be appropriate to indicate a definitive breakdown of costs between the different elements of the programme.
