Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
586 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in regard to proposals, contained in the joint programme, for a subsidised cargo service to islands offshore; and the islands which will be so subsidised. [17600/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, there is a commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government to identify proposals to provide a subsidised cargo service to islands in consultation with island communities and ferry operators.
At the moment, my Department subsidises the provision of cargo ferry services to the three Aran islands off the County Galway coast and to Cape Clear Island, County Cork. In addition, subsidies are also provided for roll on/roll off services capable of serving the cargo requirements of Arranmore Island, County Donegal, and Bere Island, County Cork.
Last year, consultants were commissioned by my Department to carry out a review of subsidised transport services to a number of islands. The islands included were Tory, Inishturk, Clare Island, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr, Inishboffin and Cape Clear. This report, which was completed earlier this year and is available on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie, contains a recommendation that, in the event that additional funding becomes available for the provision of ferry services to the islands, consideration should be given to providing a monthly freight service to the remainder of the islands which were the subject of the report. The consultants also estimated that the annual cost of such a service would be in the order of €250,000.
The issue of extended freight services to the islands will be kept under constant review having regard to the funding available for the provision of transport services to the islands and the competing demands on that funding.
