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Island Communities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021

Tuesday, 7 December 2021

Ceisteanna (75, 89, 101)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

75. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new ten-year cross-departmental policy for island development and associated action plans to ensure delivery of the policy, as outlined in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60217/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 14 October 2021, the status of the new policy for the islands; when she expects the initial draft of the policy to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60118/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the islands action plan and her engagement with island communities in relation to it since taking office. [60254/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

I was not expecting this question to be reached. Perhaps the Minister was not either. The one thing Waterford does not have is an island. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy O'Brien, would like to donate one of the Cork ones; I somehow doubt it. Can the Minister imagine being on an island tonight? It is a precarious existence out there and it needs our support. What is the status of the ten-year, cross-departmental policy for island development, and associated action plans to ensure delivery of the policy, as outlined in Our Rural Future?

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 89 and 101 together. However, as Deputy Ó Cathasaigh appears to be the only one here I will focus on his question.

As set out in Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to publishing a ten-year policy on island development, with associated plans. It had been initially envisaged that the new policy would be published in 2021. However, following engagement with island communities it became clear that more time was required to get the policy right. Indeed, at this year's annual general meeting of the islands' representative body, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, at which I was present, this very point was stressed by members of that body. We have to get it right.

I understand that based on the development work to date, the draft policy is expected to be ready by the middle of next year. Some initial work has already been made on aspects of the policy document and considerable progress has also been made on bilateral meetings with stakeholders. In particular, my Department has now completed the bilateral meetings with all relevant Departments. The bilateral meetings have provided an opportunity for frank discussion of the issues raised by island communities and for Departments to assess how they might help address the various issues raised. It is not just my Department; we want to involve many other Departments in this. The interdepartmental committee for the islands held its most recent meeting on Monday, 29 November, during which the participating Departments reviewed progress on the policy development. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for February 2022.

In the past year, I have managed to visit a good number of islands. I was on Inis Mór and Inis Meáin and I have been to two of the Donegal islands and some of the islands off the coast of Cork. I am imagining living on an island tonight. It does present challenges. This policy is an important document and we want to make sure it is right. As I said, we had a meeting at the end of November and we will continue to work on it. I thank the Deputy for his question.

The committee on social protection, of which I am a member, also covers this part of the Minister's brief, that is, community and rural affairs and the islands. Islanders often feel they have been tagged on to the end of the departmental line.

One of the representatives who spoke to our committee referenced a programme that was on TG4 Player, "Inis Airc: Bás Oileáin", which is about the leaving of Inishark. We must acknowledge that the way of life that exists on the islands is precious but also marginal. It is difficult for families to maintain their life on an island.

While I welcome the Minister's comments, the work must be multi-departmental. Many issues need to be addressed, for example, housing and employment. Language is also a major consideration on many islands because they are often Gaeltacht communities. Other issues include schools, how to keep young people on the island and how to attract inward investment.

I agree with the Deputy. I can imagine how they must feel isolated. It is fine in the summer months when everyone wants to visit the islands but it is different in the winter months. When there is an evening like this, it must be very challenging.

I have been on a number of islands, for example, Clare Island. I apologise, as I should have said I visited Árainn Mhór, not Inis Mór. I have been to Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin, Bere Island and Gola and I intend to visit more of the islands to hear first hand the issues that they have. I want to work with them and support them. We have granted funding because roads and piers are major issues for the islands. I want to try to maintain their schools and keep their children on the islands. That is challenging no matter how one looks at it. I will continue to work with them.

The Minister has acknowledged that the policy's development has to be interdepartmental because it must cover housing, education and the Gaeltacht. The islanders deserve the House's attention and I welcome her comments.

I wish to work with the Deputies present, members of the committee and those Deputies with a particular interest in this matter. Living beside the islands, they have a much greater knowledge of them than I do, but I am committed to working with everyone.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.
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