Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is willing to meet a delegation from an island (details supplied) to discuss critical infrastructure deficits on the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49329/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the maintenance and development of the infrastructure on the island referred to lies primarily with the relevant Local Authority and/or the relevant utility companies.

The Government's objective is that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live on all our inhabited 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 and therefore provides co-funding for a programme of capital works on the islands. This funding encourages Local Authorities to undertake these projects, which due to geographical challenges, and additional costs, may not otherwise be prioritised.

Officials from my Department would be available to attend any meeting that is arranged between the group referred to by the Deputy and the relevant Local Authority and/or the relevant utility companies to discuss infrastructural issues on the island. Requests for such meetings should be addressed directly to the relevant agencies.