Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps that need to be taken to change ferry times on Sherkin Island by 15 minutes to facilitate schoolchildren who attend classes on the mainland following the closure of the school on the island; if her attention has been drawn to fact that the ferry operator is refusing to facilitate the request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3537/19]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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It is a requirement of contracts in place between my Department and private ferry operators that a timetable be agreed between the operator and representatives of the island community.

Specifically in relation to Sherkin Island, my officials have been in contact with both the operator and island representatives in relation to moving the 2pm Monday to Friday sailing to 2:15pm during the school term and talks are ongoing to seek a satisfactory resolution to the issue.