Our Living Islands: Minister Humphreys announces €2.25 million for capital works on our offshore islands
- Published on: 5 July 2024
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
- Investment in infrastructure projects on islands off Galway, Mayo, Cork and Donegal
- Upgrades to roads, piers, coastal protection and street lighting
- Minister publishes first progress report under landmark Islands Policy
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced €2.25 million for capital works on our offshore islands.
The investment will see upgrades to roads, piers, coastal protection, street lighting and other infrastructure projects.
Island communities across the country will benefit from the funding, including:
- County Galway: Aran Islands and Inisbofin
- County Donegal: Árainn Mhór Island and Toraigh Island
- County Mayo: Clare Island and Inisturk
- County Cork: Sherkin Island, Bere Island and Heir Island
Minister Humphreys also today published the first progress report under ‘Our Living Islands, the Government’s landmark national policy designed to support vibrant and sustainable island communities.
Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said:
“Empowering our island communities by investing in infrastructure is a key commitment under our ten year Islands Policy, ‘Our Living Islands’. I’m delighted to announce funding today of €2.25 million to support the delivery and upgrade of dozens of infrastructure projects on our offshore islands. From roads and piers to coastal protection and street lighting – these projects are vital in terms of enhancing the island life for people living on our islands and the many visiting tourists.”
Our Living Islands – Progress Report
The first progress report under ‘Our Living Islands’ was also published today.
The report shows that 10 of the 28 actions for the first year have been completed, while a further 15 are in progress. The full report can be found here on gov.ie.
According to the report:
- Some 21 applications have been made for the enhanced Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (Croí Conaithe), which supports people to turn vacant and derelict properties into long-term homes;
- High-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan has been rolled out on 10 islands, with 16 island schools connected and 11 Broadband Connection Points in place;
- The HSE has delivered significant investment through training, equipment and the provision of two new ambulances for Árainn Mhór and Inis Mór;
- The Inis Oírr pier redevelopment has progressed to tender stage;
- The construction of new a helipad on Inishturk has been completed at a cost of €409,000 and is now operational;
- New fire vehicles have been procured and delivered to the airports on each of the Aran Islands, completing the fleet replacement programme at a cost of €400,000;
- Comhar na nOileán has been appointed as the Local Action Group for the LEADER programme on the Galway islands and is an Implementing Partner with the relevant LAGs for the islands off the coast of Donegal and Cork;
- The Road Safety Authority (RSA) delivered face-to-face presentations to Transition Year students in Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Árainn Mhór.
Launching the progress report, Minister Humphreys said:
“’Our Living Islands’, which I launched last year, is the first national Islands policy in 27 years. In conjunction with this new round of funding, I’m pleased today to set out the concrete actions that we are taking under ‘Our Living Islands’ in order to make our island communities more vibrant and sustainable places to live, work and visit. It’s clear that this landmark policy, matched with unprecedented investment, is already having a hugely positive impact on island life. I am determined to ensure that we build on this progress – delivering in areas such as health, education, transport and the environment.”
The overall county allocations approved by Minister Humphreys today are:
- Donegal County Council: €604,000
- Mayo County Council: €121,894
- Galway County Council: €557,730
- Cork County Councils: €979,763
The funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development will cover up to 90% of the capital cost for these projects while the local authorities will provide the balance.
The islands in question to benefit from the funding are Árainn Mhór, Toraigh, Inis Meáin and Uaigh Island in County Donegal, Clare Island, Inishturk and Inishlyre in County Mayo, Inishbofin, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr in County Galway and Bere, Heir and Sherkin Islands in County Cork.
Details on the full list of capital works can de found in this document:
