Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys allocates almost €286,000 for capital works on offshore islands
- Investment in infrastructure projects on islands off Cork, Mayo and Donegal
- Funding to see improvements to roads, piers, helipads and public toilets
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, T.D., has today (Tuesday, May 24th) allocated almost €286,000 for capital works on island infrastructure projects around the country.
The funding will see improvements made to roads, piers, helipads and public toilets.
The funding has been allocated to Cork, Mayo and Donegal County Councils as follows:
| Cork County Council | €90,891 |
| Mayo County Council | €58,500 |
| Donegal County Council | €136,414 |
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.
This is the latest tranche of capital funding for island infrastructure projects in 2022, with over €2 million of grants announced earlier in the year and a further funding announcement in respect of other islands expected later in the year.
The islands to benefit from this round of funding are Cléire, Sherkin Island, Heir Island, Whiddy Island and Bere Island in County Cork, Inis Bigil (Doran’s Point) and Claggan in County Mayo, Island Roy and Toraigh in County Donegal.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“Supporting our island communities by investing in infrastructure is a key commitment under our five year Government development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’.
“These projects will further enhance island life for both the local communities and indeed visitors alike.
“This is particularly important in terms of supporting the tourism industry on our offshore islands.
“Today’s announcement is further evidence of our commitment to our island communities – and will be followed by additional funding announcements in the weeks and months to come.”
| Island/Project | County | Grant |
| Island Roy: Access Road L10421 | Co. Donegal | €13,500 |
| Toraigh: Replacement ducting for lights at helipad and the associated groundworks | Co. Donegal | €14,320 |
| Toraigh: Consultants to complete design for slipway, and submission of foreshore licence application along with any necessary environmental studies | Co. Donegal | €6,750 |
| Machaire Rabhartaigh pier: Environmental and marine study | Co. Donegal | €101,844 |
| Claggan Island: Continuation of works on the access road through the Causeway to Claggan Island | Co. Mayo | €31,500 |
| Doran’s Point: Works to Car Park at Doran’s Point access to Inis Bigil | Co. Mayo | €27,000 |
| Bere: Upgrade of public toilets | Co. Cork | €14,400 |
| Whiddy: Middle Battery feasibility study | Co. Cork | €18,000 |
| Heir Island: Installation of pontoon at East Pier | Co. Cork | €10,800 |
| Sherkin: Resurfacing road L4201 | Co. Cork | €19,800 |
| Sherkin: Rock Armour to build-up washed away footing for existing stone wall at Cow Strand. | Co. Cork | €13,500 |
| Cléire: New lighting for the helipad | Co. Cork | €14,391 |