Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the islander's allowance, there is €12.76 extra available per week for people on old age and invalidity pensions, etc. Regarding the Deputy's second question, the Leader partnership company is being set up. That is all arranged and elections are taking place at present. That is a major innovation. Formerly they had their own Leader company. Now they will have a Leader partnership and I believe it is much better to provide services from within to the islands.

The third issue touched on by the Deputy related to the major initiatives for next year. The substantial infrastructure programme continues. As well as that, I have arranged for Údarás na Gaeltachta, my Department and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann to do a socio-economic study of the islands. We have to find out precisely how much extra it costs an individual to live on an island. If one wants to make a case for resources, one must always have the facts.

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