Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she foresees opportunities to improve the conditions of life on the islands with particular reference to employment, sporting and cultural opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28058/20]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Islands (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020, responsibility for the offshore Islands has recently transferred from my Department to the Department of Rural and Community Development, with effect from 23 September 2020.

Having said that, my Department continues to provide funding to support the development of community, language, and recreational facilities on Gaeltacht offshore islands inter alia under my Department's Community and Language Supports Programme in further support of the Gaeltacht offshore islands.  In that regard, I might also mention that on foot of a recent policy review by my Department in relation to the programme, the maximum level of capital grant-aid which can now be provided by my Department for eligible island-based projects  has been increased from 80% to 90% of the total eligible costs. 

While recognising that my Department no longer has responsibility for the islands, this policy change nonetheless  represents a practical response to the significant and ongoing challenges faced by island communities.

I might also mention that under this revised policy, I recently allocated €424,462 - equivalent to 90% of the total cost - to Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin to enable them to begin works on the development of a community centre on the island.  This follows an initial allocation by my Department of €53,798 towards consultancy costs in relation to the project. 

The Deputy may also be aware that my Department also administers a specific measure, ÁRAINN Gaeltachta, by which funding of up to €150,000 over a 3-year period was recently allocated in order to facilitate up to 30 post-primary students per year in attending any one of the three post-primary schools on the Aran Islands for a full school-year. This practical measure not only supports language enrichment opportunities but also supports the ongoing viability of second-level education provision on the Aran islands. Notwithstanding the unique challenges being presented by the ongoing pandemic, it is my hope that this measure can continue into the future when it is safe and practical to do so.

In the interests of completeness, I should also point out that Údarás na Gaeltachta will continue to support enterprise development on Gaeltacht offshore islands as part of its overall remit.  

On a general note, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a new Policy for Island Development, which will identify and address the main challenges and opportunities to support the social, economic and cultural development of our island communities.  Prior to the transfer of functions a significant amount of consultation in relation to the development of this policy was undertaken. This consultation will continue under the stewardship of the Department of Rural and Community Development in order to fully inform the new islands' policy.