Island communities were among the pioneers of local and community development in Ireland. Local development companies play a vital role in the development and delivery of modern infrastructure, employment and accessible transport for their communities, in partnership with various stakeholders, including my Department.
The local development companies on non-Gaeltacht Islands are funded by my Department's Islands Unit, while Gaeltacht Islands are funded through Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Local development companies on our Islands have a key role in supporting the delivery of measures to implement our strategic objective of empowering island communities.
During the consultation and development of the national Islands policy, Our Living Islands - which I launched last year - the matter of different funding levels and mechanisms between Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht islands was raised. My Department committed to reviewing the funding model for the local development companies on non-Gaeltacht islands to ensure they are supported more effectively to carry out their functions.
The terms of reference for the review are being finalised at present and will include an examination of the concerns and anomalies that have been identified by island communities and local development companies. My Department has already had initial discussions with Údarás na Gaeltachta in this regard.
With reference to Sherkin Island Development Society (SIDS), I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department recognises the extensive work programme being delivered by SIDS. In recognition of this, my Department's annual funding allocation for SIDS has increased by 56% since 2020, which is significantly more than the overall increase of 34% approved for non-Gaeltacht islands.
My Department acknowledges that the level of funding to SIDS remains lower than the level provided to others and this will be taken into account in the forthcoming review. While SIDS had sought a substantial funding increase in 2024, no decision could be made on the matter in advance of completing the review. Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support SIDS in the interim.
Finally, it is worth noting that my Department has provided an additional allocation of €40,000 to Comhar na nOileán in 2024 specifically to address the increased demand from the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in West Cork and on Sherkin Island.
