Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will make a budget available to Donegal's offshore islands in the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015; his proposals for a fair and sustainable budget for the Donegal islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21618/11]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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1Considerable progress has been made in recent years with regard to the development of our offshore islands. As a result of funding from my Department, a range of subsidised transport services are provided to inhabited islands, consisting of ferry, air, bus and freight services. The number of subsidised services has increased from seven services in 1997 to in excess of twenty services in 2011. In addition, my Department also funds the management of the three airports on the Aran Islands.

During the period 1997 to 2010, in the region of €120m of expenditure was approved through my Department for island infrastructure. As a result of this investment, island life has improved considerably. Indeed, the preliminary results from Census 2011 show that the population on many offshore islands has stabilised or increased.

While recognising the significant financial constraints at present, it is my intention to continue to assist to the greatest extent possible in the provision of essential lifeline services to our offshore islands - including the Donegal islands - in the future.