The mission of the Department of Rural and Community Development is "to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.”
The responsibility to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands is now under the remit of this Department.
Some 30 of our coastal islands are inhabited. They hold a wealth of cultural heritage and are an integral part of the State’s heritage.
To maintain island populations, satisfactory services and suitably developed infrastructure are essential. The Department’s aim is to seek to meet these requirements through current and capital investment. This investment will come from this Department as well as through other relevant Departments and organisations.
In recent years, priority has been given to the development of island infrastructure as well as subsidising comprehensive transport services. The quality of life of the island populations has improved significantly as a result of this.
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