Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. My Department is charged with progressing the development of a new policy for the islands. Prior to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, my officials had been engaged in a process of consultation with island communities on the policy's development. This consultation, which was a key element in informing the policy, was carried out through public meetings on the islands. Eleven such meetings were held.

Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, and to avoid health risks for the island communities, this process was temporarily suspended. With the assistance of the island development companies and co-operatives, my Department has been holding online consultations, giving island-based focus groups an opportunity to provide input from their communities. Three such online consultations have been completed and discussions are in progress to arrange meetings with focus groups from the final three islands.

My Department will consult other key parties in the new year, with meetings being arranged with stakeholders such as the education and training boards, relevant local authorities, the HSE, the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Islands Federation, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. To reflect on the key issues that have emerged from the consultation process, my Department will also reconvene the interdepartmental committee charged with overseeing the development of the policy.

In tandem with these final consultations, work will proceed on drafting the new policy. An action plan to address all aspects of the sustainability of island communities will then be developed and form an integral part of the policy's delivery.

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