Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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72. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the step she is taking to support and promote employment and remote working on offshore islands. [28363/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Diversifying island economies is one of the five high-level Strategic Objectives set out inOur Living Islands - the Government's ambitious new 10 year national policy for the islands - which I published last week. Connectivity is vital for islands and the delivery of high speed broadband and supporting remote working infrastructure are key to delivering this.

Our Living Islandsaligns with the Government's ambition to transform digital connectivity for rural communities and enterprises, as first set out in Our Rural Future, which I published two years ago.

I also published a three-year Action Plan last week to support the implementation of the islands policy. Among the key actions to be delivered under the Action Plan is the delivery of high-speed broadband to island-based schools, digital hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) to ensure a reliable connection to the internet for both education and remote working. Supports will also be provided to Remote Working Facilities on islands so that people can live and work within their own community.

There are currently 8 offshore islands with operational Broadband Connection Points. These BCPs are provided with a wireless temporary high-speed broadband connection for public use and are intended to be long-term, digitally-enabled community assets that allow for onsite internet use by the public.

When launching Our Living Islandson Árainn Mhór last week, I visited the islands digital hub, which was the first hub on an offshore island. I saw first hand the real difference it is making in enabling people to move to the island while continuing to work for their existing employer.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 659 of 25 April 2023, for an update on the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the expected timeline for her Department to receive the updated draft business case and strategic assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27789/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is the responsible authority for the maintenance and development of pier infrastructure on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin.

A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department and Galway County Council meets regularly to monitor progress on the development of the piers on the Aran Islands including phase three of the Caladh Mór Pier. The most recent meeting was held two weeks ago.

As the Deputy is aware, the Public Spending Code sets out a number of important steps and decision gates in relation to projects such as this. In line with the Code, Galway County Council is currently preparing an updated draft business case and strategic assessment. This will be based on the findings and data obtained from the model simulation carried out by the National Maritime College of Ireland, along with consideration of the various options.

My understanding is that the main issue of concern relates to the narrow entrance to the pier that makes it difficult for vessels to enter the harbour safely during certain weather conditions.

Once Galway County Council has completed the strategic assessment and the updated draft business case, it will be submitted to my Department for review in line with the Public Spending Code.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for me or my Department to predict when these documents will be received from Galway County Council, but I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to engage with the local authority to ensure the project is progressed as quickly as possible.