Relief as islands are thrown funding lifeline

Vital funding for Ireland’s non-Gaeltacht islands has been secured for the year.

The move was welcomed last night by community leaders on the islands, most of which are off Cork.

Inter-departmental talks are under way to hammer out new long-term fund- ing arrangements for the islands’ development offices.

Concerns emerged last November when the Department of the Environment announced it was axing funding to five island community development offices from December 31.

The cuts of around €600,000 would have hit six of West Cork’s seven inhabited islands — Bere Island, Sherkin, Dursey, Whiddy, Long Island and Heir Island — as well as Inishbofin, off Galway, and Inishturk and Clare Island, off Mayo.

Island leaders warned the funding cuts would spell the death of the islands.

The Government announced just before Christmas that it would extend the funding to March.

However, Minister for the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh has now confirmed that the funding arrangements will continue for the rest of the year.

Fine Gael Cork South West TD Noel Harrington, who facilitated a visit by Mr McHugh to Sherkin and Bere islands last month, welcomed the move and said island representatives will be consulted.

There are different funding arrangements in place for Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht islands. Gaeltacht islands are primarily funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Arts, while there is a patchwork of funding streams for the non-Gaeltacht islands which dates back to 1994.