Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2104. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1393 of 13 June 2023, the status of the development of the pier on Inis Oírr; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39223/23]

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 Inis Oírr pier. A steering committee consisting of representatives from my Department, Galway County Council and the Consulting Engineers meets regularly to monitor progress on the work being undertaken.

Galway County Council published a request for tenders for phase one of the re-development of Inis Oírr Pier on 23 July. A request for an extension to the closing date was received and Galway County Council agreed to this. The revised closing date for receipt of tenders is 12 September, following which the evaluation process will commence.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2105. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 13 June 2023, for an update on the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; if her Department has received the updated draft business case and strategic assessment to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39224/23]

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 An Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin. The most recent meeting was held on 5 September.

In line with the Public Spending Code, Galway County Council submitted an initial draft of the strategic assessment to my Department in the past week, and it is currently being reviewed.

This draft strategic assessment is 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.

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.