Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was established in 2002. Expenditure under the islands subhead of my Department's Vote from June 2002 to date is in excess of €61.5 million. This figure includes capital expenditure in the order of €42.8 million which was directed towards infrastructural works, such as piers, slipways, airstrips, coastal protection and roads. The current expenditure of €18.7 million over the same period was directed principally towards subventions for the transport services to the islands, including ferry services, air services and a winter helicopter service to Toraigh. This expenditure information is available in a breakdown on a county basis, which I am happy to provide to the Deputy on request.

As the Deputy knows, I was reappointed to my current office earlier this year. Overall islands expenditure in 2007 to date is running at €15.5 million, of which €11.7 million relates to the capital programme and €3.8 million to the current programme. The Deputy will also be aware that my Department provides funding for island development under a range of other subheads and programmes.

In the circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that it was not possible to collate the detailed information sought by him in the time available. However, if the Deputy has any particular case in mind, I would be glad to provide the relevant data.

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