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

I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. The Government's ambition for a national policy and action plan for the islands was set out in the programme for Government and included in chapter 10 of Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, an action plan for rural development, published in 2021. Indeed, the process commenced in December 2019, when a consultation paper was prepared with input from the participating Departments to act as a basis to advance the development of an island policy. Over the intervening period, there has been an extensive public consultation process with the island communities, through a combination of in-person and online meetings.

The interdepartmental committee for the islands was established and is chaired by the Department. The most recent meeting was held on 22 June 2022, where it was agreed that committee members would review their Department's draft input and revert with revised actions. The next meeting of the interdepartmental committee is scheduled for early October, where it is expected committee members will be able to share their feedback, observations and recommendations regarding the initial draft of the policy. An initial draft of the policy sets out the context for the policy, provides a high-level analysis of the current opportunities and defines strategic objectives for the policy.

Finalisation of the policy and action plan is due to be completed in the coming months and it is my intention to have it published by the end of the year.

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