Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1403. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital spend each year from the island-specific sub-head in the vote of her Department and Departments that have had responsibility for the islands since the year 2000, including the capital allocation for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28367/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the Islands transferred to this Department in 2020.

Last week, I published Our Living Islands, the Government's new 10-year national policy for the islands. It is an objective of this Government to provide the necessary supports for our offshore islands to ensure that those communities can continue to live, and thrive, on the islands.

My Department operates an annual capital funding programme to enable the relevant local authorities to carry out minor capital works on the offshore islands and develop key infrastructure such as piers on the islands and mainland to support the sustainability of our island communities.

Last year, I secured a significant increase in the capital allocation for the islands to €4.644 million and I am delighted that I have secured the same amount again in 2023.

Below is a table outlining the expenditure under the Island Minor Capital Works since the year 2000.

It is important to note that the capital spend in some years was significantly higher than normal as it included substantial funding for major pier construction projects under the National Development Plan.

*Budget allocation