Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
272. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works, OPW, has not bought any other properties on the Great Blasket Island since it bought part of the Blascaod Mór Teoranta property for €2 million in early 2009. [22941/16]
View answer273. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works abandoned the management plan which was adopted by a previous Government and moneys allocated in principal in the amount of €8.5 million to implement the plan. [22942/16]
View answer274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works has not fully engaged with other landowners on the Great Blasket Island who signed specific heads of agreement for the sale of their properties to the State with the officers of the management group. [22943/16]
View answer275. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works failed to establish a management committee for the Great Blasket as agreed in the management plan for the island; and the reason this management plan has never been published. [22944/16]
View answer276. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason persons (details supplied) have been allowed to operate a ferry service from Dingle for the past three years despite receiving payment from the Office of Public Works to cancel this ferry service. [22945/16]
View answer277. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the board of Commissioners of the Office of Public Works refused to allocate significant funding for development works on the Great Blasket Island in 2015. [22946/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 277, inclusive, together.
Since the Supreme Court struck down specific legislation enacted for the Great Blasket Island progress on the management and development of the Island has been made on an incremental basis as resources permit.
Following a public consultation process facilitated by Kerry County Council a management plan was made widely available. The general principles in the plan are followed as far as practicable having regard to operational requirements. Consultation in respect of current management issues and planned operations takes place regularly with local groups. The establishment of a more formal group will be considered as further plans are developed.
The majority of the individual landholdings were purchased in 2009 including, on legal advice, appurtenant rights in respect of ferry services. While discussions have taken place with other landowners in respect of their holdings resources to pursue purchase have not been available.
The operation of ferry services is regulated by licences issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
In 2015, in addition to the regular annual management budget, €43k was expended on improvement work to the Island slipway and access to the beach.
