The next government is to be urged to create a specific policy to bolster the building of social housing on the islands to ensure their populations don't die out.

Island communities may be able to provide one answer to Ireland’s lengthy housing lists — they’re investigating ways of helping “wannabe” islanders to create new lives offshore.

Communities on nine non-Gaeltacht islands have expressed concern at the news that the Department of the Environment, Community, and Local Government is to terminate funding to their five community development company offices from the end of next month.