Government responsibility for offshore islands has been transferred to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The islands had previously been within the brief held by the recently reconstituted Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys announced an allocation of €370,000 in island improvement works when she welcomed the formal transfer of responsibility to her department.
Islands to benefit from the funding are Cléire, Heir Island and Sherkin Island in Cork; Inishbofin and Árainn (Inis Mór) in Galway; and Árainn Mhór in Donegal.
Works to be undertaken with the funding being announced today include resurfacing of roads, repairs to sea walls and slipways, and work on damaged coastal defences, Ms Humphreys confirmed.
“The Government’s ambition is to ensure that our offshore islands continue to support sustainable and vibrant communities and that visitors have an opportunity to experience and appreciate the unique culture, heritage and environmental richness the islands have to offer,”Ms Humphreys said.
The new Programme for Government commits to a policy for island development.
“The issues affecting our islands are similar to those in the rest of rural Ireland, whether they relate to employment opportunities, access to services, or the social and economic impact of COVID-19. That is why the Taoiseach decided to assign responsibility for the islands to the Department of Rural and Community Development,” she said.
“The integration of the islands function under the remit of my department will ensure a more integrated and cohesive approach to the development of rural and community policy for the people living on the islands and for their economies,” she added.
The €370,000 in grants are additional to €700,000 which was already approved this year under the small capital grants scheme, she noted.