Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
96. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the work her Department is doing to ensure the sustainability of island communities in terms of necessary infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28309/23]
View answerOur Living Islands, which I launched last week, is an ambitious new ten year national policy designed to support vibrant and sustainable island communities.
Good transport services and a developed infrastructure are recognised in the policy as important prerequisites for maintaining island populations. My Department’s aim is to seek to meet these requirements through current and capital investment via the Department itself and through other relevant Government Departments and organisations.
My Department has a dedicated annual capital allocation for the islands. This includes provision for a minor capital works programme to provide co-funding to encourage Local Authorities to undertake smaller infrastructure works projects on the islands. Works undertaken include, but are not limited to repairs to piers and roads (subject to roads being under charge of the Local Authority), maintenance or construction of slipways and retaining walls, works to prevent damage from erosion, the development of play grounds and public conveniences. My Department provides 90% of the funding for the minor works programme.
At the recent launch of our new national islands policy, Our Living Islands, I announced funding of €1.9 million for the first tranche of minor capital works for 2023.
In addition, I have introduced a dedicated islands funding stream under other programmes within my Department, under the CLÁR programme where assistance is provided for public and community facilities, and under the Local Improvement Scheme.
My Department also provides funding for major capital projects serving our offshore islands, such as the redevelopment of the piers at Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin and at Machaire Rabhartaigh serving Toraigh.
