€837,000 investment in Mayo islands

FUNDING of €837,000 for offshore islands in Mayo has been announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today.

Nationally, a capital funding programme of €2,740,509 has been approved to four local authorities in Mayo, Donegal, Galway and Cork for upgrading works including resurfacing public roads, upgrading piers/slipways, coastal protection and helipads. Mayo County Council has been allocated €519,699 for works on Clare Island, Inishturk, Inishbiggle and at Roonagh Pier.

In addition to the capital funding, current funding of €1 million is being provided to support community development organisations on the islands. In Mayo, Cliara Development Company and Inishturk Community Club will both benefit from a current funding allocation of €159,000.

Said Minister Calleary: “The capital works programme supports essential upgrades and repairs to basic infrastructure and improve access for island residents and visitors alike.

“I am particularly pleased to be able to allocate capital funding towards repair works at Roonagh. Roonagh is a key piece of infrastructure for residents on Clare Island and Inishturk and I am working diligently with Mayo County Council to ensure works are completed as soon as possible.”

He added: “Community development companies on the islands play a vital role in the delivery of daily services and projects within their own communities. I am delighted to provide additional support to enable them continue with this important work and plan for the future.”

Separately, ringfenced funding of €550,000 is also provided for the Local Improvements Scheme (LIS) on the islands. LIS is a scheme aimed at upgrading rural roads and laneways.

The Mayo capital works are as follows.

Roonagh: Consultant engineers to undertake emergency work on Roonagh Pier due to damage; provision for the installation of preparatory works and traffic management measures at the pier and car park; repairs to the waiting room and storage centre due to storm damage.

Clare Island: Appointment of consultants to find a site to build a new helipad on the island.

Clare Island and Inishturk: Structural survey of island quays.

Inishbiggle: Refurbishment of the island's helipad in accordance with T16 rules, including new electrical ducting and cables, new TLOF and FATO lights, new surface and security acquisition