Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1618. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the publication of an islands policy. [42806/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Work is continuing on the development of the new Islands Policy. My Department is currently engaging bilaterally with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to discuss the issues raised by island communities through the public consultation process and to assess how they might be addressed. I expect Departments and Agencies to provide input and expertise on elements of the policy and agree action points as it is developed. It is hoped that this element of the process will conclude shortly.

Work has begun on preparing an initial draft of the policy, but it is at a very early stage. It was initially envisaged that the new Islands Policy would be published this year, however I am conscious that getting the policy right is the real priority and this will be the guiding principle going forward. During the most recent bilateral meeting with the representative group for the islands, Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann, members of that group stressed this point also. 

My Department is continually raising island issues with other relevant Departments and Agencies. The inclusion of an action point particular to the islands in the recently published Housing for All strategy is an indication of the ongoing dialogue in this regard.