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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government's objective is that sustainable and vibrant communities can continue to live on the country's offshore islands. For this to be achieved, it is essential that investment is made in the maintenance and upgrading of island infrastructure. To this end, I have increased the allocation available for capital works on the islands from €2.64 million in 2021 to €4.64 million for 2022. The additional funding will ensure an expanded works programme this year.

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It will include the annual programme for minor capital works on the offshore islands, co-funded by the relevant local authority. So far this year, I have approved works valued at €2.09 million for non-county roads in Donegal. My Department continuously seeks opportunities to expand its existing schemes to further enhance the infrastructure on the islands. I was delighted to announce last month that I was introducing a new measure specifically for islands under the CLÁR programme. This measure will give island communities and groups the opportunity to seek up to 90% funding for community vehicles and other community facilities.

The key island projects set out in Project Ireland 2040 are being progressed this year. These include three major harbour projects, namely, improvement works to piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin in County Galway and at Magheraroarty, serving Oileán Thoraí in Donegal. These projects are all at different stages in their development and will continue to be progressed as quickly as possible.

The Deputy referred to the Dursey Ireland cable car. Cork County Council closed the Dursey Island cable car on 1 April 2022 for a period of seven months. The local authority had made no provision for alternative island access for the duration of the maintenance period. I am over time and will speak further in the supplementary answers.

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