Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that update. For her information, the Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands paid a visit to Bere Island and the message that came out strongly was that there are great opportunities for people on the island. The remote working has a chance to be transformative and the quality of life there is second to none. The resilience and adaptability of islanders in general was acknowledged. Common themes across the islands are coming across. The provision of health services is a another significant one. In the case of Bere Island, it is the need for a 24-7 cover for their nursing services. Education is a significant theme and now that the islands allowance has gone, it is very difficult to source substitute cover because if one hears that at 8:50 a.m. that there is no teacher available at the school, one will have a hard time getting somebody in from wherever, in Cork, who may be travelling to Bere Island.

Childcare is a very significant issue also, as are housing and the cost of living, all of which feed in. Can the Minister give perhaps some broad outline and are those strands also being reflected in the island policy? Are these the kinds of common themes that we are going to see reflected in the final strategy?

See this speech in context