My Department assumed responsibility for the funding structure for the non-Gaeltacht iIsland development companies in May 2015 and subsequently maintained that funding at the same level as had been previously provided by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. This has also been the case in 2016. Comhar na nOileán Teo is presently administering the funding structure on behalf of my Department.
I can assure the Deputy that funding for the non-Gaeltacht island companies will continue to be a priority for my Department but, as she will appreciate, the estimates and budgetary processes for 2017 have not yet been initiated.