At the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht we have made pre-payments to Gaeltacht and island organisations to help with the challenges arising from Covid-19/Coronavirus.

Community development organisations and co-operatives have been allocated funding in advance to cover the period to the end of May and help ensure the continuation of the work carried out by the organisations.

In addition, all island transport contractors, including passenger and cargo service operators, have been paid to the end of May to help ensure continuity of service for islanders as well as the provision of supplies to the communities.

In these extraordinary times, it is vital that Government provide certainty and assistance to community organisations that carry out important work, particularly for older or more vulnerable members of the community.

By providing funding in advance we are helping community organisations in the Gaeltacht and on the islands to continue to serve their communities.

Wherever we are it is essential that each one of us plays our part in helping to stop the spread of Covid-19 by following the advice of the HSE such as practising good hand hygiene and social or physical distancing.