Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 880: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made regarding the programme for Government proposal to complete the infrastructure programme on the islands, ensuring low-cost high quality access services with fixed and competitive tariffs for passengers and freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47860/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's recent progress report in relation to the Programme for Government can be accessed on the Department of the Taoiseach's website at:

http://193.178.1.117/attached

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that in recent years substantial progress has been made in regard to the development of islands generally and improving the quality of life for island communities. Since 1997, more than €65m has been provided by my Department and its predecessor for the development of island infrastructure. In 2008, a further €33m was paid for this purpose, bringing the total amount provided from 1997 to date to almost €100m. This unprecedented level of investment has resulted in significant improvements to access infrastructure on and for the islands. The following examples illustrate this:

the construction or development of piers at a number of locations, including Árainn Mhór and Machaire Rabhartaigh in Co Donegal, Coney Island in Co Sligo, the Clew Bay islands of Clynish, Inishlyre, Insegort and Islandmore, as well as Inis Bigil, Doran's Point, Clare Island, Inishturk and Roonagh in Co Mayo, and the Co Cork islands of Whiddy, Bere, Sherkin, Cléire, Long and Heir;

the construction of airstrips at Clifden and Inishbofin and the resurfacing of airstrips on the Aran Islands;

the provision of new helipads on Árainn Mhór and Cléire;

coastal protection and pier improvement works on Inishbofin, and

major pier and harbour developments on the three Aran Islands: including the construction of a new pier on Inis Meáin which was completed recently, while the largest development ever undertaken by my Department (in excess of €40 million) is progressing at Cill Rónáin, Árainn, and plans for the development of the pier on Inis Oírr are ongoing.

As island access infrastructure has improved, so too have associated access services. At this stage, my Department is funding 21 island transport services, including ferry and air, compared to just 7 in 1997 and, of course, many of these older services have been greatly improved since then. The annual cost of these subsidised services is approximately €5m.

The cost of transport for passengers and cargo to the islands has been a major issue for island communities. The capping of passenger fares for islanders on contracted ferries (€8 for adults; €5 for students and children) has made a significant difference, as has the reduction of tariffs on cargo services.