Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1005. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities available to offshore islanders to help them deal with the higher cost of living and transportation for islanders; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23807/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is developing a new Islands policy, with the sustainability of vibrant island communities at its core. While rural communities are faced by a range of challenges, these have an extra dimension for island communities due to their separation from the mainland. The cross Departmental policy will work towards having the challenges of island living recognised and addressed by the relevant Departments and authorities.

A key element of the support that my Department provides is through its programme of subsidies for ferry, air and cargo services. My Department manages some 25 such contracts to ensure such services, providing island communities with affordable, reliable year-round access.

The table below outlines funding provided over the past five years:

2016 €6,075,241

2017 €6,025,978

2018 €6,514,707

2019 €6,922,021

2020 €7,133,134

My Department also provides supports for island organisations and programmes whose activities directly benefit islanders, including Comhar na nOileán, which administrates programmes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Leader on the offshore islands.

The Department of Social Protection provides an island specific allowance (Island Increase) to recipients on specific islands. The objective of the scheme is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these specified islands when compared to people resident on the mainland. As part of Budget 2021 I increased the rate of the Island Allowance by €7.30, from €12.70 to €20 per week - the first increase to the Island Allowance for many years.

This payment is also paid to people who are aged under 66 and in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.

As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islands are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1006. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities provided to attract newcomers to move to offshore islands; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23808/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1007. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the analysis that has been conducted of the demographic trends of offshore island communities; the conclusions of such analysis; and the funding decisions or policies her Department is implementing to tackle island depopulation. [23809/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1008. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the research that has been conducted into the best way to tackle unemployment on offshore islands; and her policy on island job creation. [23813/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1010. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current priorities and programme of works to improve infrastructure on each of the offshore islands; and the funding that is allocated towards each planned project. [23828/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1006, 1007, 1008 and 1010 together.

I am working to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands, and I have made this one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy. Furthermore, my Department is currently developing a new National Islands Policy, a central objective of which is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands.

In order to inform the policy, a consultation process has taken place with the island communities and is ongoing with other relevant stakeholders. This work has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by communities living on the offshore islands. Many of the issues raised by the Deputy have featured in the responses to the consultation process. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show a decline in population on many of the offshore Islands, with an older than average population, and a higher proportion of retired people living on islands compared to national figures. There are challenges in terms of employment, education and access to services.

These and other issues have been, or will be, the subject of bilateral meetings with the relevant Departments and Agencies in the context of the policy development, and they in turn will be providing their own input and expertise on elements of the policy.

As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islanders are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.

Once completed, the National Islands Policy will provide a series of actions, across Government, to support, promote and empower our island communities. The policy will provide a basis for the development of an action plan to address the challenges identified, and to foster the future development, growth and sustainability of communities on the offshore islands.

My Department also provides funding for island supports such as transport services, capital and infrastructural work and local development support, which underpin economic and employment opportunity on the islands. My Department works with the relevant Local Authorities to address infrastructural projects that they have identified. These works, which are jointly funded by the Department and the Local Authorities, include road improvements, works to combat coastal erosion, works on piers and slipways to improve access, and the provision of public facilities.In the coming days, I will be announcing funding allocations under this programme, which will see funding being provided to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cork County Councils. Additional projects have been submitted for consideration, and I look forward to being able to announce additional funding very shortly.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1009. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid that has been provided for Leader programmes to private individual projects and community projects on offshore islands in each year for the past ten years. [23815/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally-led, bottom-up approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas including the islands.

The current programme is delivered to the off-shore islands by the Donegal, Mayo and West Cork Local Action Groups (LAGs) through its Implementing Partner, Comhar na nOileán CTR, while the Galway West LAG, Forum Connemara CLG, covers the Islands off the coast of County Galway.

These LAGs are responsible for the delivery the programme in their respective areas, including approving project applications for funding and processing claims for payment once approved works are completed.

Funding Agreements with the LAGs for the current programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date. There was no project expenditure on the new LEADER programme in 2015 and 2016, although funding was provided to the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies and to prepare for the implementation phase of the programme.

The 2007-2013 LEADER programme was delivered by the Local Development Companies, such as Comhar na nOileán CTR, who were the LAGs for each LEADER area.

Table 1 below details the amounts approved on LEADER projects for the off-shore Islands in each of years 2011 to 2020, and to date in 2021.

Table 1: LEADER Project Approvals for the off-shore Islandsper year 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1011. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is allocated to crisis-proofing island communities for emergency situations including pandemics and extreme weather events and the work that has been carried out in this regard. [23829/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is in regular contact with island representative groups in relation to the supports that are required to ensure their sustainability.

At the outset of the COVID crisis, my officials contacted the relevant representative groups - Comharchumainn, Island Development Companies and Comhdháil Oileain na hÉireann, as well as all of the ferry operators - to discuss transport issues. At the request of the island communities, and by agreement with the operators, the Department facilitated reduced ferry, cargo and air timetables on a temporary basis. This arrangement ensured continued connectivity to the mainland, and associated services, while reducing the numbers travelling to and from the islands. These arrangements are being regularly revised and adjusted in keeping with changes in guideline and travel restrictions.

My Department also works with the relevant Local Authorities to support them where emergency works need to be undertaken arising from extreme weather events. I have recently approved Galway County Council's business plan for the development of Inis Oírr pier which, once completed, will provide shelter and mitigate against overtopping and other weather related conditions.

While my Department is not the funding authority for emergency services, I am aware of the critical role and supports provided by the Coast Guard, lifeboats and other services in supporting island communities, and they will be included in the Islands Policy being developed by my Department at present.