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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has visited County Galway and the Islands to open a series of new rural development projects as part of a nationwide tour to promote Our Rural Future.
Our Rural Future is the government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
During the visit to County Galway, Minister Humphreys opened and visited projects with a combined investment of over €18 million.
The county has received over €33 million in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2020 and 2021.
The first stop on the Minister’s itinerary was the state-owned Aerfort Chonamara where she met with staff from Galway Aviation Services.
Speaking at Aerfort Chonamara the Minister said:
“I would like to thank all of the staff here at Aerfort Chonamara for the work they do throughout the year. Tourism is so important for the economy of this rural area and having a quick air link to the mainland is a huge asset for the people on the islands.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the business develops over the coming years. I know you’ve been working closely with my Department to improve the airport and the services, and I’m sure this facility will go from strength to strength in the years to come.”
The Minister then took a flight to Inis Oírr where she visited Inis Oírr Pier.
The Department previously provided funding of €181,000 between 2019 and 2020 towards upgrades on the pier.
Further improvements are needed and Galway County Council submitted a business case, which was approved by the Minister in May of this year. The estimated total cost is now €20 million.
The project will comprise of an extension to the pier and the construction of a breakwater to the rear to protect it from overtopping.
Áras Éanna Arts Centre was next on the itinerary, then on to the Comhar Caomhan Hub where the Minister held a meeting with Comhar na nOileán Teo, a local group that represents the interests of all the inhabited offshore islands.
Moving across to Inis Meáin, the Minister visited Cniotáil Inis Meáin and had a working lunch with Comhlacht Forbatha Inis Meáin, a local development organisation based on the island.
While on the island the Minister also visited Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir. The pier on Inis Meáin is a key project in the National Development Plan and approximately €14 million has been spent on the first two phases of this project.
Galway County Council, as the authority responsible for the pier, are in the process of developing a business case for further development.
Speaking at Inis Meáin Pier, the Minister said:
“The preservation and strengthening of sustainable communities on our offshore islands is one of the core objectives of my Department and our five year strategy for Rural Ireland, ‘Our Rural Future’. As such, it is vitally important that ferry and cargo services have safe access to piers on our islands.
“My Department is working closely with Galway County Council to develop the business plan for this particular pier at Inis Meáin.
“I am glad to be here today to see the pier for myself, and while today’s weather is not as wild as it can be during winter, it’s clear that this is a busy place and a vital piece of infrastructure for the island.
“I look forward to receiving the Council’s business case once complete and I will work to ensure funding is made available to deliver on Phase 3 of this project.”
Later, back on the mainland, the Minister continued her tour of the county, where she:
Please find full details of the investments and projects opened/visited as part of the Minister’s engagements in Galway.
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