Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:18 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the islander allowance will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11061/99]
Written Answers. - Islander Allowance.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:35 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, she has to introduce a special islander allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11151/99]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:41 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the special islander allowance will be introduced as promised by the present Government some years ago; the discussions, if any, that have taken place and with whom in relation to the allowance; and if he will provide a report on the issue. [10895/99]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna 18, 35 agus 41 le chéile.
The matter of an islander allowance has been under consideration for some time with the Department of Finance and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The issue has also been discussed by the Interdepartmental Committee on the Islands, the Gaeltacht and the Irish Language. These discussions have not yet been finalised.
I accept this issue is under consideration for some considerable time, however, it does involve various issues of broad policy that need careful consideration. As basically a budgetary issue, I will be pressing that a final decision on this matter, one way or the other, be made in the context of this years budget.