I propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 271, 272, 273 and 274 together.
I am working to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands, and I have made this one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy. Furthermore, my Department is currently developing a new National Islands Policy, a central objective of which is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands.
In order to inform the policy, a consultation process has taken place with the island communities and is ongoing with other relevant stakeholders. This work has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by communities living on the offshore islands. Many of the issues raised by the Deputy have featured in the responses to the consultation process. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show a decline in population on many of the offshore Islands, with an older than average population, and a higher proportion of retired people living on islands compared to national figures. There are challenges in terms of employment, education and access to services.
These and other issues have been, or will be, the subject of bilateral meetings with the relevant Departments and Agencies in the context of the policy development, and they in turn will be providing their own input and expertise on elements of the policy.
My Department provides funding for island supports such as transport services, capital and infrastructural work and local development support. My Department works with the relevant Local Authorities to address infrastructural projects identified by them. These works, which are jointly funded by the Department and the Local Authorities, include road improvements, works to combat coastal erosion, works on piers and slipways to improve access, and the provision of public facilities. In the coming days, I will be announcing funding allocations under this programme, which will see funding being provided to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cork County Councils. Additional projects have been submitted for consideration, and I look forward to being able to announce additional funding very shortly.
As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islands are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.
The Department of Social Protection does provide an island specific allowance (Island Increase) to recipients on specific islands. The objective of the scheme is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these specified islands when compared to people resident on the mainland. This payment is an increase to the weekly payment of certain social welfare payments, to recipients who are aged 66 or over and are ordinarily resident on an island off the coast of Ireland. It is also paid to people who are aged under 66 and in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension. I announced an increase in this payment as part of the 2021 budget.
In terms of repairs to housing stock, I am informed that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage supports local authorities for a range of stock improvement programmes, such as, the Voids programme, the Energy Efficiency programme, Disabled Person Grants, and also programmes of Regeneration. Funding is also provided for housing adaptation grants on privately owned dwellings for Older People and People with a Disability to allow them stay in their own home and within their own communities as long as possible. These programmes are not island specific and it is a matter for each local authority to submit a work programme in this regard.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage does however provide funding towards the necessary work to renew or repair thatched roofs of applicable properties. €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever lesser) is payable towards necessary works under this programme. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified Islands. For Medical Card holders, the maximum grant is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands). This grant scheme is administered directly to the public by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Once completed, the National Islands Policy will provide a series of actions, across Government, to support, promote and empower our island communities. The policy will provide a basis for the development of an action plan to address the challenges identified, and to foster the future development and sustainability of communities on the offshore islands.
