Vol. 466 No. 4
17 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the role of the Minister of State at his Department regarding the co-ordination of the provision of educational opportunities to islanders in line with the report of the Inter-Departmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10571/96]
The recent report of the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development clearly identifies and addresses the long-term issues affecting the communities on our offshore islands. For the first time, the report establishes a coherent and comprehensive basis for Government policy in relation to the islands. It sets out a strategic framework within which future actions in relation to the economic and social development of island communities will be considered and pursued. As chairman of the co-ordinating committee, I am responsible for co-ordinating the Government's response to the recommendations of the report.
As the Deputy is aware, the report covers a number of issues which are of priority importance to our offshore island communities. Many of these issues are inter-related. Two such issues, which are highlighted in the report, are education and access services. The provision of educational services is of crucial importance to maintaining vibrant island communities. I believe that initiatives which aim to maintain and strengthen the vital link between young islanders and their communities, are important to reversing the cycle of decline and tackling the depopulation issue. The provision of access services to facilitate island children travelling to and from schools on the mainland is of primary importance in this regard.
With regard to education, the inter-departmental co-ordinating committee made three particular recommendations in its report. First, the Government has agreed to the accommodation of the interests of island communities in the proposed education boards structure. This is consistent with the aspirations of local empowerment outlined in the White Paper on Education, "Charting Our Education Future" and will involve islanders more centrally in the provision of educational services to their communities.
Second, the Government has also agreed to changes regarding the Department of Education's remote area boarding grant, which facilitates a child's attendance at school on the mainland. The means test limit for the remote area boarding grant, which has been a source of dissatisfaction among islanders, will now be substantially increased to a level in line with third level education grants.
