Vol. 569 No. 4
146 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on current developments in relation to the islands' ferry services; and the way in which, if applicable, his Department is linking payment of subsidies to the quality of service provided. [17716/03]
In recent years, it has been one of the primary objectives of my Department to improve the level and quality of access to the islands off our coast, primarily through the provision of new or improved ferry services. In 1997, when I was first appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for the islands, just four ferry services were in receipt of State support. This figure has now risen to 14. A list of these services follows for the Deputy's information. The Deputy should also be aware that my Department is currently seeking tenders for the provision of the Tory Island ferry service for the period from 1 September 2003 to 31 August 2004.
In response to issues raised in the 2001 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to State-subsidised transport services to the Aran Islands, my Department has advanced the following measures: additional staff have been assigned to the islands division of my Department so as to strengthen control and compliance with contractual requirements; as a consequence of effective monitoring, which includes the scrutiny of sailing logs and regular spot checks, monthly payments are reduced in respect of any contracted sailings not provided; increased frequency of spot checks is being pursued; a new software package has been developed to further enhance and facilitate monitoring procedures; and, a comprehensive study to determine the effectiveness of currently subsidised services and to advise on appropriate performance indicators is being commissioned at present. It is intended to appoint consultants this week to carry out this study and it is envisaged that the findings will inform the decision-making process in regard to future contracts for island transport services.
|
Island |
Service Provider |
Service Type |
|
Tory Island |
Turasmara Teo |
Passenger and Bus |
|
Arranmore Island |
Maoin na Farraige Teo |
Roll on/Roll off |
|
Inishturk |
O'Malley Ferry Services |
Passenger and Bus |
|
Clare Island |
Clare Island Ferry Company |
Passenger and Bus |
|
Galway – Aran |
O'Brien Shipping |
Passenger and Cargo |
|
Rosaveal – Aran |
Island Ferries Ltd |
Passenger and Bus |
|
Inishbofin |
Cleggan & Inishbofin Ferries Ltd |
Passenger and Bus |
|
Cape Clear |
Naomh Ciaráin II Oileán Cléire Teo |
Passenger and Cargo |
|
Sherkin Island |
Baltimore Ferry Service |
Passenger |
|
Bere Island |
Murphy's Ferry Service Ltd |
Roll on/off |
|
Bere Island |
Bere Island Ferries Ltd |
Roll on/off |
|
Whiddy Island |
Whiddy Island Ferry Service |
Passenger |
|
Long Island |
Long Island Ferry Service |
Passenger |
|
Heir Island |
Camp Roaringwater Ltd |
Passenger |
