Funding of €191,000 for Galway’s islands has been been allocated by the Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The funding for Galway will enable essential works to be carried out to roads, slipways, seawalls and coastal defences on Inisbofin and Inis Mór.

Responsibility for the islands has also transferred from the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht to the Department of Rural and Community Development.

This funding is very welcome and especially so given the difficulties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the funding, €63,500 will enable works to coastal defences on Inisbofin while almost €128,000 will enable important works to be carried out at three locations on Inis Mór.

I know of the additional challenges that face our island communities and I’m confident that my colleague, Minister Heather Humphreys, as a TD from a rural constituency and as a former minister for Rural and Regional Development, is well placed to ensure that the islands receive the support needed to grow and develop sustainably.

I look forward to working with Minister Humphreys on the development and the implementation of the Action Plan for Islands and on other issues affecting the islands.

  • Inishbofin – €63,750 – Essential Underpinning Works to Coastal Defence system/ Road Stabilisation of L5140. Repair of Gabions and the provision of additional concrete support with rock armour to disapate wave action.
  • Inis Mór – €78,000 – Cill Mhuirbhigh – road works
  • Inis Mór – €18,750 – Inis Mór – Cill Ronáin, Killeany – road works
  • Inis Mór – €31,238 – lar Airne, Killeany – road works