Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I repeat that we are working closely with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and we will have a new rural policy in early 2020.

Deputy Connolly asked about our policy. Current actions include the LEADER programme 2014-20, which supports island programmes. The programme has funded 129 projects and €880,000 has been allocated. The social inclusion and community activation programme provides direct supports through regions that focus directly on the islands. Comhar na nOileán received €29,633. The South West Mayo Development Company received €45,000 from SICAP to develop supports for the Mayo islands.

There is also the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. These are not policies. These are opportunities for people to get funding streams to help develop their islands and they are being put forward by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Policies are fine but we must make sure we implement them. The proof of the pudding has been in the eating. The Deputy can see what has been delivered to the islands under the funding streams from the Department since the Department was set up. That record stands for itself.

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