Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the facilities and public services available in each inhabited island off the coast, that is, sewerage, water, electricity, education, recreation and transport to the mainland; the number of inhabitants and age profile on each island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides subsidies – costing some €5.7m in 2010 - for a range of transport services to and from the main inhabited islands. These services include passenger, cargo, air and connecting bus services. Details of the various services can be found on my Department's website www.pobail.ie and I am arranging for a copy to be circulated with the Official Report. The number of subsidised services has increased from 7 in 1997 to more than 20 in 2010. In addition, my Department pays grants for the management of the island airstrips on the three Aran islands in order to facilitate the operation of daily scheduled air services under a Public Service Obligation contract.

The traditionally high cost of transport for passengers and cargo to the islands has also been addressed with the capping of passenger fares for islanders on contracted ferries (€8 for adults and €5 for students and children), which has been welcomed by the island communities. There has also been a significant reduction in cargo tariffs, as well as the provision of new heavy cargo services for a number of islands including Toraigh in County Donegal and Cléire, Sherkin, Heir, Long and Whiddy in County Cork.

Over the period 1997 to 2010, almost €120m has been allocated by my Department (and its predecessors) for the improvement of infrastructure for island communities. This unprecedented level of investment has resulted in significant improvements to access infrastructure both on the islands and at mainland locations serving the islands. Examples of the developments undertaken include:

the construction or improvement of piers and harbours at a locations in Counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Cork;

· 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 developments at Caladh Mór and Cill Rónáin on the Aran Islands.

Programmes of work co-funded with local authorities over the years have facilitated improvements to roads, public lighting, village renewal, water schemes and environmental projects. Also in recent years my Department has provided assistance for recreational facilities and other social amenities, including, for example, playgrounds and football pitches on a number of islands. The Deputy will appreciate that the detailed information sought by him in regard to other services would be matters for the relevant Government Departments or local authorities, as appropriate. Information in regard to the number of inhabitants on each island is contained in Table II of the 2006 Census Report, which can be accessed at www.cso.ie . I am also arranging for a copy to be sent directly to the Deputy.

Subsidised Transport Services and Airstrip Management for the Islands