Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands her plans to address issues affecting the inhabitants and their quality of life on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24566/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a new Policy for Island Development which will identify and address the main challenges and opportunities for our island communities to support their social, economic and cultural development. There has already been a large amount of consultation with island communities in relation to the development of this policy under Minister Catherine Martin’s Department, and this consultation will continue as the islands function transfers to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The process is overseen by an Inter-Departmental Committee which met on a number of occasions in 2019.
Prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities through public meetings on the islands in order to facilitate community input to the policy development process. In order to further progress this process on those islands that have not been visited, officials are working with island representatives to obtain their input and to establish focus groups.
On completion of the consultation process with the island communities, officials will consult with other stakeholders, and with the Inter-Departmental Committee, with a view to developing a draft policy paper.
In relation to island transport, ensuring that the island communities have access to reliable transport and cargo links is of paramount importance to my Department. Currently here are 26 separate contracts in place to ensure that island communities have reliable, year round cargo, passenger and air services. These services provide life-line support for the island populations in terms of providing mainland access while also supporting local economies through the tourism sector.
In 2019 alone, these services carried 523,828 ferry and bus passengers, 31,100 air passengers and 26,351 tonnes of cargo to the offshore islands.
I should also point out that a total funding package of €2 million was approved by the Government under the July Stimulus Package aimed at accelerating capital works programmes on the islands.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Departmental officials have worked closely with island representative groups, passenger, air and cargo operators to ensure that the offshore island communities have adequate levels of services and supports available to them.
My Department will continue to engage with all island stakeholders and relevant health authorities to ensure that the services it provides continue to support the needs of the islanders while adhering to the advice of the HSE.
