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Offshore Islands

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Questions (1006, 1007, 1008, 1010)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1006. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities provided to attract newcomers to move to offshore islands; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23808/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1007. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the analysis that has been conducted of the demographic trends of offshore island communities; the conclusions of such analysis; and the funding decisions or policies her Department is implementing to tackle island depopulation. [23809/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1008. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the research that has been conducted into the best way to tackle unemployment on offshore islands; and her policy on island job creation. [23813/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1010. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current priorities and programme of works to improve infrastructure on each of the offshore islands; and the funding that is allocated towards each planned project. [23828/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1006, 1007, 1008 and 1010 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.

As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islanders 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.

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, growth and sustainability of communities on the offshore islands.

My Department also provides funding for island supports such as transport services, capital and infrastructural work and local development support, which underpin economic and employment opportunity on the islands. My Department works with the relevant Local Authorities to address infrastructural projects that they have identified. 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.

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