Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
64. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration has been given to the request for subvention for travel on the Dursey cable car for people within the community with links to the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41352/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Dursey Island Cable Car service is wholly owned and operated by Cork County Council and they are ultimately responsible for all aspects of the service.
Cork County Council provides the day to day management of the service and also sets the terms and conditions under which the service is delivered.
The council is also responsible for setting a schedule of ‘fares and charges’ in a way that is fair and equitable for all of its users. It is entirely a matter for the council to manage and deliver its own service as it sees fit and my Department has no role, nor remit, for the operation of the service or provision of a subsidy for it.
You will recall that the my Department provided once-off emergency financial support to Cork County Council last year during the extensive urgent maintenance works which continued earlier this year. This emergency assistance was provided specifically to fund a temporary ferry service to ensure mainland connectivity during the full period of the unavoidable closure of the service for essential repairs.
I am pleased that the support provided by my Department enabled the council to procure a ferry service and that the island was not left without mainland connectivity.
I am also pleased to note that the maintenance and repair programme for the Dursey cable car towers, and its supporting cables, has finally been completed and that cable car service is operational once again.
