Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a new ferry service will be provided for Tory Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26287/25]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Tógaim an cheist fá dtaobh de bád farantóireachta Thoraigh. Seo bád a bhí gealta do Oileán Thoraí agus an pobal in 2018 agus é le bheith tógtha taobh istigh de thrí bliana. Go fóill, níl bád ar bith ar fáil.

I want to raise the issue of the Tory Island ferry. It was a commitment given by the Government in 2018 that a ferry would be provided and there was a vote on the island to deal with an issue that had arisen. It was supposed to be delivered within three years but there is no boat, no ferry and no plans for a ferry anytime soon. Now, there is a condition saying this is attached to a pier, although that had never been the case. There are ferries going in and out of Magheraroarty pier all the time. The Government needs to deliver on the commitment.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Tá mé chun freagra a thabhairt as Béarla, tá brón orm.

My Department makes a significant annual investment in subsidised transport services to ensure our island communities can avail of reliable, affordable year-round ferry and heavy cargo services. In the case of Oileáin Thoraí, there are four separate subsidised transport services provided for the island at an annual cost of approximately €750,000. Comharchumann Thoraí now plays a more central role in monitoring services to ensure they are delivered in line with contracts and that the issues that may arise are addressed promptly. This approach has resulted in a significant improvement in the delivery of all subsidised services to the island.

The main daily ferry service provides, at a minimum, two return sailings per day and can carry eight tonnes of light cargo per sailing. It is an important service that supports all aspects of island life, from tourism to indigenous island businesses. Last year, a new fast ferry service that provides two daily return sailings was launched for Oileáin Thoraí. This is an important addition to the existing suite of services as it originates from the island each morning. Residents can now be on the mainland before 9 a.m. each morning without having to travel the night before and, therefore, do not have to incur the extra expense and inconvenience of staying overnight.

The heavy cargo service has also seen vast improvements in recent times. Scheduled sailings are now planned in conjunction with Comharchumann Thoraí and the Department. Multiple mainland ports are used to deliver the service depending on the type of cargo being carried. This new flexibility has greatly enhanced the service and has had a beneficial impact on the community.

The winter helicopter service, provided in conjunction with the HSE, has been extended to start in October and end the following April. The scheduling of the service is far more flexible and, in particular, can serve residents returning home during busy periods.

The current subsidised range of services is meeting a community need. However, I am aware of the situation in respect of Magheraroarty Pier. I intend to visit it over the summer to envisage it. My understanding is that we allocated funding to Donegal County Council to complete a report and we are waiting on that. The Deputy has raised it with me previously, as has Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher. I intend to visit Magheraroarty during the summer and I am happy to meet the Deputy there.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for his response in regard to the existing services for Tory. Obviously, a tender will issue for those services supported by the Department later in the year.

The key point I want to raise is that in 2018, before Deputy Calleary's time as Minister, there was a serious issue with the ferry in and out of Tory. As a result, the Government brought in a mediator and made Government proposals. One of those proposals is that a brand-new ferry that would be suitable for Tory Island would be built. Whoever operated the ferry was a matter for tender, but it would be built at a cost of €4 million and it would be delivered within three years. It is seven years on and that ferry is nowhere to be seen. It is nowhere in the planning stages. It is nowhere in the design stages. What we heard last year from the Minister's predecessor was that the Government is not actually moving ahead with that at the minute, that it is still committed to it but that the reason it is not moving ahead is it has to do works at Magheraroarty. The point I am making to the Minister is Magheraroarty is completely separate. The ferry service that the Minister outlined to the Dáil operates from Magheraroarty. A brand-new, state-of-the-art ferry can also operate from there. Is the Department committed to the proposal it put to the island community in 2018 to deliver that and will the Minister uncouple it from Magheraroarty and deliver on this project?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that what we have done is prioritise services into Oileán Thoraí to make sure that they are being delivered, that there is the traditional ferry service and that there is a fast ferry service. They are new services and they are providing a strong service.

I have been told there is an issue with Magheraroarty Pier. Donegal County Council was awarded funding to come back with a report on that issue. As I said, I intend to go there to see it for myself but as of now, we are focused on delivering services we have the capacity to deliver, namely, those fast sailings and the more traditional sailings, and I will continue to support those services. I have far greater belief in getting to see something for myself and engaging with the community on the ground when we do that, as I will do over the summer.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate the fact the Minister is coming to Magheraroarty over the summer. At that opportunity, we might meet Comharchumann Thoraí as well to see how this commitment can be progressed. I would welcome that.

As I said, this is really about a brand-new boat that was promised. When the Government has made a promise, it needs to be delivered. This is what I would like to tease out with the Minister. Whoever operates the service will operate the service, but they will operate a brand-new ferry.

There are possibilities here to cut the travel time as well. With a brand-new, bespoke boat that is built and suitable for that journey, which is a difficult one, we could reduce the travel time. This would increase the benefit for the islanders but also for tourism. We see a huge uptick in tourism.

I welcome the fact the Minister has committed to visit. During that visit, we might arrange a meeting specifically in respect of the new ferry as well in order that we could discuss how to move that forward.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly look forward to the visit but want to be straight with the Deputy that as of now, the intention is to examine those existing services. I will sit down with the Deputy, Deputy Gallagher and the comharchumann to look at it because I want to get a full understanding of it and see for myself how the service works. I will not just go to Magheraroarty; I will go on to the oileán freisin.