Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Offshore Islands.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

56 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Taoiseach whether there is scope for an extension of the time limit in respect of the funding provided to enhance the development of access to the islands off County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/96]

The Taoiseach

On the recommendation of the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee on island development, the Government made available an additional £1 million for the development of island access services to the offshore islands. A new mechanism has been put in place whereby island access projects are selected and prioritised by the islands committees of the relevant local authorities. These projects are assessed by the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee and recommendations made.

To date £242,250 has been allocated to the local authorities involved for island access projects of which £157,250 has been allocated to Donegal County Council. The assessment of further projects is continuing and I hope to be in a position to allocate further funding shortly.

While it is the objective of the local authorities to complete the development of their projects by the end of the year, they have indicated that, in certain cases this may not be possible, particularly with regard to those phases of a project which are subject to weather and tidal conditions. This would mean that the total amount of funding which has been allocated to a project may not be drawn down this year. In such cases I am endeavouring to ensure that, within the normal Government accounting requirements on the allocation and expenditure of funds, arrangements will be made to ensure the completion of these projects.