My Department currently subsidises the provision of a cargo service to the three Aran Islands, as well a combined cargo and passenger service to Cléire. In addition, subsidies are paid in respect of roll on/roll off ferry services to Bere Island and Árainn Mhór, which also serve the cargo transport requirements of those two islands.
One of the primary objectives of my Department over the past number of years has been to improve the standard and frequency of transport services to the islands. To date, this has been achieved on a phased basis, with the improvement of existing services and the provision of new passenger services being afforded priority. The next phase envisages the provision of subsidised cargo services on a prioritised basis and, in this context, tenders for the provision of three new cargo services to Inishbofin, Clare Island/Inishturk and Toraigh are currently being evaluated by my officials. In deciding to prioritise the provision of services to these four islands, regard was had to criteria such as distance from the mainland, population and the adequacy of existing non-subsidised services.
Having regard to these criteria, it is considered that a case for subsidised cargo services to the three islands referred to by the Deputy could not be justified at this time.