Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2695.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 20 June 2024, for an update on the work of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33084/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2697.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 19 June 2024, the status of the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33086/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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2698.To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 19 June 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the status of the appointment of a consultant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33087/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2695, 2697 and 2698 together.

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 on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin.

There are regular meetings between officials from my department and Galway County Council to discuss and monitor the pier development on both these islands. The last meeting was held on Tuesday 16 July, and the next meeting is scheduled for 27 August.

The Deputy will recall that I gave approval to Galway County Council in July 2023 to issue a request for tender for the development of the Inis Oírr pier. Galway County Council is the contracting authority and is therefore responsible for all aspects of the procurement process.

I am advised that Galway County Council has extended the closing date for receipt of Stage 2 tender to 23 August.

The assessment and evaluation of all valid tender responses will be carried out by Galway County Council and should take approximately 2 months. Subject to the successful completion of this procurement process, it is expected that a contractor will be appointed later this year.

Regarding pier developments on Inis Meáin, my Department recently gave approval to Galway County Council to proceed to tender for the appointment of consultant engineers to develop the Preliminary Business Case, incorporating a Strategic Assessment, for Marine Infrastructure Improvement Options at Inis Meáin. The tender document prepared by Galway County Council was finalised at the meeting held last week and has been published on eTenders, with a deadline for responses in September.

My Department and Galway County Council agree that there will be clear engagement between the independent consultant to be appointed and island representatives on Inis Meáin, ensuring that the entire community has input into the process.

My Department will continue to engage with Galway County Council to ensure these projects are progressed without delay.