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

I am well aware of these issues, given I visited the islands within the past year or two. I walked the pier and I know all about the matter. There have been the first two phases of the Inis Meáin project, as we know, and the simulation has now finished. I wanted to make that clear because it took a long time, given these waves cause problems. When the second phase began, a problem was discovered with the waves. It is now a matter for Galway County Council, which is to put together a business case. When I receive that business case, I will go to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and get the money to build the pier. This has been ongoing for years and I am well aware of it. I am committed to making sure the pier will be completed in due course.

In the meantime, I have ring-fenced money from the various schemes in my Department that will go to the islands. Moreover, the Croí Cónaithe top-up of 20% will be welcome because it means there will be additional funding for people who want to renovate old or vacant buildings on the islands.

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