Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important matter. Recent events relating to the provision of air transport to the Aran Islands have again highlighted the vulnerability and disadvantage of those striving to keep our island communities alive. In that light, I very much welcome the signing of an interim air service contract for the islands. This will secure jobs at Aer Arann for the next year and give space, during which a longer tender can be advertised. I use my time this morning perhaps to reinforce a point and ask the Minister of State to bear it continually in mind.

The people on all our islands are trying their best to keep their communities alive. It is a simple fact they require assistance and support to do this. Government community development schemes carry out valuable work, particularly with non-Gaeltacht islands, to support island sustainability. There are various other grants and schemes available from other Departments. These are all welcome and positive methods of assistance. However, more could be achieved. For example, could we consider greater use of the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund? These can be specifically aimed at EU regions with specific geographical characteristics, namely islands, mountain regions and sparsely populated areas. The economic development of these areas is considered important in helping the EU to attain its important territorial cohesion objective. Additionally, I draw the Minister of State's attention to the European agricultural fund for rural development.This is a mechanism under the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. The programme runs until 2020 and there is no deadline for grants. It is particularly geared towards less developed regions.

While I do not have time to develop my suggestions to their fullest this morning, I ask the Minister of State to consider one suggestion in particular: that he convene a cross-departmental group to consider all aspects of policy and funding in the context of the sustainability of our island communities. There are very few Departments that do not impinge on island development in some way, and a more co-ordinated approach might assist. There also appear to be sources of EU funding left untapped, or not sufficiently tapped at least. I look forward to the Minister of State's comments on this matter.