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

We are talking about a matter of weeks. I want a policy that, when it is launched, can be used to hold other Departments to account. I do not want a pile of flowery language. I have said this previously; I want time-bound actions in order that when Departments say they are going to do something, I will be able to hold them to account.

In fairness, in both my Departments, I have shown a commitment to the islands. I was the first Minister for Social Protection for many years to increase the islands allowance in my first budget. There has been a long-running issue there with roads in County Donegal. I worked with the island community there and with Donegal County Council. The roads on some of the islands have been transformed. If the Deputy gets a chance to go to the lighthouse on Arranmore, the community will tell him the difference that has made.

I have established a special dedicated funding stream, Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais, CLÁR, which is for island communities. This year, I have ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme for the islands. We have developed remote working hubs on a number of the islands with funding from my Department. We will continue to improve life on the islands, but the policy is important.

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