Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the flexibilities provided for in the recently published Island Plan to ensure that issues of concern to islanders not addressed in the plan can be addressed in the next ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28335/23]
View answer104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extra financial commitment to the funding provided to her Department annually for islands, underpinning the recent "Islands Plan" launched by her on 7 June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28334/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 104 together.
I was delighted to publish Our Living Islands, the National Islands Policy last week. The commitments in the policy will be delivered progressively over its lifetime and implementation will be underpinned by 3 year Action Plans, the first of which I also published last week alongside the policy.
As the Deputy is aware, this ambitious policy has been developed following an extensive consultation process with island communities and other stakeholders, which enabled them to express their views as to the challenges and opportunities associated with living on islands.
The policy is underpinned by five high-level Strategic Objectives, identified by islanders themselves as being of key importance for the sustainable future of their communities. It is a living document and will be reviewed and updated as necessary over its 10-year lifespan.
A whole-of-Government approach has been taken in the development of the Our Living Islands and a coordinated and cohesive approach across a range of Government Departments will be required for its implementation.
The Government recognises that the people who live on the islands are key participants in the development and delivery of any initiatives to develop their own communities. This policy is therefore underpinned by the principle of engagement by island communities in its implementation and monitoring.
In that context, a Monitoring Committee, chaired by my Department, will be established to which I will appoint representatives of the island communities. The role of the committee will be to engage with key Government Departments, agencies and local authorities in relation to progress on implementation and to report periodically to me and the relevant Cabinet Committee.
Funding of the commitments contained in this policy will be met from the budgets of the relevant Government Departments, agencies and other bodies responsible for the delivery of the relevant actions and policy measures.
All expenditure incurred will be subject to the terms of the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework where appropriate.
