Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
1005. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities available to offshore islanders to help them deal with the higher cost of living and transportation for islanders; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23807/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is developing a new Islands policy, with the sustainability of vibrant island communities at its core. While rural communities are faced by a range of challenges, these have an extra dimension for island communities due to their separation from the mainland. The cross Departmental policy will work towards having the challenges of island living recognised and addressed by the relevant Departments and authorities.
A key element of the support that my Department provides is through its programme of subsidies for ferry, air and cargo services. My Department manages some 25 such contracts to ensure such services, providing island communities with affordable, reliable year-round access.
The table below outlines funding provided over the past five years:
2016 €6,075,241
2017 €6,025,978
2018 €6,514,707
2019 €6,922,021
2020 €7,133,134
My Department also provides supports for island organisations and programmes whose activities directly benefit islanders, including Comhar na nOileán, which administrates programmes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Leader on the offshore islands.
The Department of Social Protection provides 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. As part of Budget 2021 I increased the rate of the Island Allowance by €7.30, from €12.70 to €20 per week - the first increase to the Island Allowance for many years.
This payment is also paid to people who are aged under 66 and in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
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.
