Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 September 2020
32. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the stage the Interdepartmental Committee on Island Development is at; the next steps and the way in which she plans to progress the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24322/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a new Policy for Island Development which will identify and address the main challenges and opportunities for our island communities to support their social, economic and cultural development. There has already been a large amount of consultation with island communities in relation to the development of this policy under Minister Catherine Martin’s Department, and this consultation will continue as the islands function transfers to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The process is overseen by an Inter-Departmental Committee which has met on a number of occasions.
As the Deputy will be aware, prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities through public meetings on the islands in order to facilitate community input to the policy development process.
A number of the scheduled meetings had to be deferred due to travel restrictions introduced as a result of COVID. However, the consultation process has remained open, and submissions from individuals and groups are still welcome via email.
In the interim officials have been examining alternative options to enable the island consultation stage of the policy development process to recommence and to engage with those island communities that have not yet contributed to the consultation process.
Where public meetings have not yet been held, officials are working with island representatives to obtain their input, and to establish focus groups. It is proposed that online meetings will be held in the coming weeks to allow these groups to present their views.
On completion of the consultation process within the island communities, officials will consult with other stakeholders and with the Inter-Departmental Committee, with a view to developing a draft policy paper.
