Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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731. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a tender was issued for the PSO contract for Arranmore Island and Tory Island; when the current contract expired; if there has been a delay; if so, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3972/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently has 5 separate contracts in place for subsidised transport services for Árainn Mhór and Oileán Thóraí. These contracts provide those island communities with a range of passenger and cargo ferry services along with a seasonal helicopter service (in conjunction with the HSE).

It should be noted that these services are not operated as Public Service Obligation (PSO) but rather each is operated under a Contract for Services, procured on the open market. This approach ensures that the current and future needs and requirements of the island communities remain central to the subsidised service.

The current contract for a Roll on / Roll off service for Árainn Mhór was originally agreed for the 5 year period from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2024, with provision for 2 extensions of up to 6 months each.

The current contract for the heavy cargo service for Oileán Thoraí was originally agreed for a 2 year period from 01 July 2022 to 30 June 2024, with provision for 2 extensions of up to 6 months each.

The process of renewing each service is currently underway. The Department has availed of the extensions permitted within each contract in order to ensure continuity of service while the renewal process is being completed.

Community consultation processes for each service were completed last year, and the respective tender documents are currently being drafted to incorporate, where appropriate, community requirements of each island. The Department expects to issue the tender documents for each service in the coming weeks.