Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
55. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to improve the provision of housing on offshore islands. [19394/23]
View answerOur offshore islands are not exempt from the housing crisis. In fact, the pressures on housing are distinctly felt by island communities, considering the additional barriers they face. Access to services, the transport of material and even construction workers and tradespeople travelling are all additional obstacles faced by the islands. What has the Minister's engagement been with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on these issues? What are her plans to help to develop housing for island communities?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future.
Housing was one of the most pressing issues of concern that was raised by island communities during the public consultation process carried out by my Department. While housing supply and affordability are key issues across the country, many of the factors affecting housing supply are amplified on the islands. These issues are also highlighted in a recent report carried out by a team from UCC, entitled Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is represented on the interdepartmental committee that has been overseeing the development of the islands policy. In addition, officials from my Department have engaged bilaterally with the Department and the relevant local authorities to agree commitments for the policy and its accompanying action plan. A further meeting is scheduled for later this week. Additionally, my Department arranged a meeting with the authors of the UCC report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was also attended by officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I believe this meeting was enlightening and beneficial for all parties and the report's findings are being taken into consideration in the finalisation of the policy.
I am pleased that the islands policy is well advanced and, in that context, I have a meeting scheduled with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, next week to discuss the commitments from his Department. I intend to present the policy to Government for approval in the coming weeks.
I thank the Minister for that update. It is great to hear that she is familiar with the report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was produced by UCC research in conjunction with the west Cork islands group. She will, therefore, be aware that the report is unequivocal in its findings and that the lack of affordable, good quality housing is impacting on the ability of the islands to attract newcomers and to retain existing inhabitants and the next generation of islanders. It is clear from the detailed research that the future of island living is under threat because of that. Of particular concern is their finding that young families are being priced out of the existing island housing market. If families with children cannot settle on the islands, the continuity and vibrancy of island life is in doubt. There is a need to ensure that existing housing of older adults is modified so that older residents can remain in their homes for as long as possible on the islands.
I am glad that the Minister will have a meeting with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week. I look forward to an update after that.
From my experience, the only way to keep other Departments on their toes is to get concrete commitments from them. I think we are nearly there on this.
As I said, I am going to meet the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week to discuss his Department's actions. As housing, planning and water sewerage services are big issues on the islands, we need strong commitments and actions from that Department.
I reiterate that both of my Departments have shown my commitment to the island communities, with the new special funding scheme under CLÁR for islands and ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme, which is specifically for the islands. The UCC report on sustainable community and housing on the west Cork islands was very useful. My officials have gone through it in detail and we will take on board some of its recommendations.
I am glad to hear action is being taken and I hope the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage follows through with lively action as a result. The report also has several recommendations on sustaining island life in west Cork and I am sure its findings are applicable to many other island communities. They include a rural settlement scheme aimed specifically at promoting the west Cork islands as places to live full time and improved broadband connectivity, which is crucial given the recent opportunities to work remotely, as well as regular, subsidised ferry crossings. These are all actions we should be looking into. When the west Cork islands group recently presented this research in the audiovisual room and to the Minister and her officials, it showed the incredible challenges the communities face but also their strength and vibrancy. Island life is a culturally unique way of life that needs to be valued and supported. I am glad to hear the Minister is taking actions and just hope they will result in concrete results for island communities.
Even though the report was specific to the west Cork islands, much of the findings are applicable to the majority of our islanders, relating to, for example, the quality of existing housing stock, the lack of availability of houses for sale or rent and the challenges of obtaining planning permission. I have spoken to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and all the islands have these challenges, which is why we want to try to address some of them. There are too many holiday homes and too many derelict houses. A lot of points are made in the report.
I have visited Bere Island. It is wonderful what is being done there. I have been to the glamping pod and the community centre. The island’s broadband was an issue and we have worked with the community there on a number of issues. Likewise, Sherkin Island got a huge investment from my Department and that will be a game changer in terms of what it can do in the community, given the level of funding that has been allocated to it. That is just two Cork islands, but other islands have also got support. I am committed to supporting them. Ports are a big issue on the islands, although achieving improvements in regard to all these things will be a matter for the longer term. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows all about the islands and raises them with me regularly, so she keeps me on my toes.
Nevertheless, the Minister cannot go over time.
