Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will clarify the position in relation to funding the air service to the Aran Islands in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4671/13]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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The four year public service obligation contract for the Aran Islands air service will end on 31 August 2013. In addition, the related aerodrome management service contract will end on the same date. These contracts cost in the region of €2 million per annum and this equates to approximately one third of my Department's overall budget for island transport services.

My Department is examining various options with regard to these services. One option is to extend the existing contracts. I hope that I will be in a position to announce the decision on the matter by the end of February at the latest.

Ultimately, any decision on the future of the air service will be made in the context of the overall budget available for island transport services. I announced in the House in December last that there would be an allocation of €5.9 million for current expenditure on the islands for 2013. Naturally, this figure is subject to the Revised Estimates being published and approved in due course.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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This is an important issue and one of substantial concern for the people of the Aran Islands, as the Minister of State is aware. Clearly any decision to diminish the funding available for this service would be damaging. The failure to sustain this service at its current levels would be threatening to the future of the island. If the service is stopped it will put significant pressure on business, employment and tourism. The air service provides 40 jobs to a rural economy without many job opportunities. If these jobs were to go, people would leave the islands because they could not provide for their families.

The 40,000 tourists or thereabouts who travel with Aer Arann also provide money to the local economy, thus providing more jobs. The air service also provides essential services such as those offered by An Post and Bank of Ireland. Local companies use the air service as well. Any diminution would have an effect on the availability of health and education services and could increase isolation and put many people into difficult circumstances. The Minister of State will appreciate that it is difficult for the elderly or infirm to travel by sea when the weather is poor.

What dealings has the Minister of State undertaken with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard? Has he met the Minister recently and, if so, what was the outcome? Will the Minister of State confirm that there will continue to be an Aer Arann service?

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of the importance of the services we provide for the Aran Islands, whether it is for the air, cargo or passenger, as I am aware of the importance of these services to all our islands. More than 20 islands avail of these services, which are being subsidised by my Department. The question relates specifically to the Aran Islands and the air services there. I have been there on several occasions. I met several Aran islanders and as recently as last Friday senior officials from my Department held a meeting with the Aran islanders during which they held further discussions on these matters. We are absolutely aware of the importance and this is one of the reasons we have endeavoured to maintain current expenditure for the current year at last year's level and to provide these services to the islands in the amount of €5.9 million. That is an indication of how seriously we take this responsibility.

Options are being considered at the moment. We are operating under a public service obligation and European regulations must be adhered to as well. We are not martyrs about it but there are European regulations and parameters within which we must work. Anyway, we are considering extending the current arrangement. Negotiations are ongoing between the various parties. As I noted in my answer, I hope to be in a position to come up with a suitable solution by the end of February.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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The service should continue in the long term and the Minister of State should seek to remove any doubts or fears about its future. It is crucial that the service continues long term. The Minister of State should seek to remove any doubts or fears about the future of the services at this point.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I agree absolutely that these services have been in in operation in the Aran Islands for more than 20 years. My objective is to keep as many of these services going as possible. I put it to the Deputy that with regard to air services all the options are being examined at the moment and I hope to be in a position to make a definitive decision by the end of next month. I understand the issues having been to the islands and discussed them with the islanders and having seen the reports from my senior officials. The issue is discussed almost on a weekly basis with the concerned parties. We will bear all of this in mind. My real objective is to look after the welfare of the islanders. We are in difficult economic times. We have €5.9 million as we had last year and we will see what we can do. I agree with the sentiment behind the remarks of Deputy McLellan.