Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

Island funding is crucial for many of our islands but its distribution needs closer scrutiny. The Bere Island Projects Group, which covers Bere Island, Whiddy Island and Dursey Island, has three full-time staff and must manage office, utilities and running costs from a budget that saw only a 2.1% increase. This is insufficient for standard cost-of-living requirements, in comparison to smaller islands like Inishturk and Inishbofin which received much higher increases of 28.4% and 16.6%, respectively, despite Bere Island having approximately 100 more residents than Clare Island, which received a 23% increase. We do not begrudge these islands the extra funding they get, as all non-Gaeltacht islands face sustainability challenges. Bere Island simply asks for parity with other islands. Without adequate investment, Bere Island, Dursey Island and Whiddy Island face further depopulation and loss of culture and sustainable business and tourism projects. Will the Government reconsider the funding allocation to better support the Bere Island Projects Group and ensure parity with other islands?

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