Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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553. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the development of Céibh an Chóra and an Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the timeline for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68658/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Galway County Council is responsible for the maintenance and development of the piers on the Aran Islands, including Inis Meáin.

In December 2024, my Department granted funding and approval to Galway County Council to proceed with the appointment of consulting engineers to develop the Preliminary Business Case, including a Strategic Assessment, for Options for Marine Infrastructure Improvement on Inis Meáin.

At the most recent meeting with officials from my Department in November, Galway County Council advised that the consultant engineers are continuing their work on the Strategic Assessment, and are currently analysing the long list of options in respect of both piers. Each of these models and options needs to be tested and assessed to find the best solution for improving the marine infrastructure on Inis Meáin, including that used by passenger and freight ferry services.

I am advised that there was a high level of engagement from the island community with the stakeholder consultation process conducted on Inis Meáin earlier this year, and the feedback gathered during this process has informed the long list of options being developed.

The current process to develop the Preliminary Business Case, including Strategic Assessment, is due to be completed in 2026.