Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Offshore Islands.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

12 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach whether it is intended to provide a regular helicopter service to Inishturk, Clare Island and Inishbofin during the winter season 1996/1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/96]

The Taoiseach

On foot of the report of the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on island development, new mechanisms have been established to deal with the development of access and infrastructure on the offshore islands. The need to develop access services in a strategic and integrated way which reflect the needs of island communities was identified in the report as a priority issue. Prioritised programmes of work to improve access services and related infrastructural work have been prepared by the relevant local authorities. These programmes of work have been assessed by the inter-departmental co-ordinating committee and recommendations regarding funding subsequently made. Funds were made available on the basis of need and the quality of proposals submitted, as prioritised by the local authorities islands committees in consultation with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. Individual projects were assessed not only on their own merit, but particularly in the context of the overall strategy for islands as set out in the report.

I recently advised Galway, Donegal and Mayo County Councils of funding for projects included in their programmes of work. I expect to be in a position shortly to confirm funding to Cork County Council. A total of £242,250 has been made available to the relevant local authorities to date, for projects submitted to the co-ordinating committee. Decisions regarding a number of other projects submitted in the programmes of work are still under consideration and I hope to be in a position shortly to announce further funding from the financial envelope.

With regard to the provision of helicopter services, in accordance with the priorities drawn up by the islands committee of Mayo County Council, I have recently made funding available to Clare Island for the provision of a helipad and lighting and also for improvements to the helipad facility on Inishturk. Furthermore, a proposal to upgrade the helipad facility on Inishbofin has very recently been received from Galway County Council's islands committee, for consideration by the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee. These priority projects will greatly improve emergency access to these island communities. Emergency helicopter services are currently provided to these islands by the Marine Search and Rescue Service and the Air Corps, subject to normal operational requirements. As I said previously, funds have been made available for priority access projects and will continue to be made available on the basis of proposals agreed by the local authorities islands committees. All proposals with the objective of achieving an acceptable level of access services to offshore islands will be considered by the inter-departmental co-ordinating committee.