Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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120. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress that has been made in addressing action 136 of the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 (details supplied). [18053/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government's objective is that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live on the country’s offshore islands. My Department recognises that for this to be achieved it is essential that investment is made in the maintenance and upgrading of island infrastructure. To this end, I have increased the allocation available for capital works on the islands from €2.64m in 2021 to €4.64m for 2022.

This will enable me to approve an expanded works programme this year, which will include the annual programme for Minor Capital Works on the offshore islands, co-funded by the relevant Local Authorities. So far this year, I have approved works to the value of €2.09m on non-county roads on Donegal islands.

Additionally, island projects set out in Project Ireland 2040 are being progressed this year. These include three major harbour projects, namely: improvement works to piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin in Co. Galway and at Machaire Rabhartaigh serving Oileán Thoraigh in Donegal. These projects are all at different stages in their development and they will continue to be progressed as rapidly as possible.