Minister Joe McHugh has secured grant funding of €359,000 for a programme of works on the islands off Donegal.
A total of nine projects on Donegal’s various islands will benefit.
“Improving the lives of islanders and the island communities is at the heart of what I am doing as a Government Minister and these investments here are integral to that,” Mr McHugh said.
“We are putting money in to improve accessibility, funding better conditions for people living and visiting the islands and investing in the development of the vital tourism offerings.
“The Lighthouse Road on Árainn Mhór is a prime example of this. The work is necessary to ensure people coming to the island can see the best of what the Wild Atlantic Way and island life has to offer.
“We are also supporting and sustaining the islanders of Toraigh with a new crane both on the island and at Machaire Rabhartaigh and this is on the back of new ferry services, a new cargo operation, ongoing discussions on extending the helicopter service and commitment to secure a new passenger ferry boat as pledged in the National Development Plan.
“Our islands are truly at the heart of what is best loved and admired about Irish culture and these kind of investments demonstrate how highly we value their communities.”
Grants worth €359,000 have been sanctioned through the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the islands programme off Donegal with the total cost of the works to run to €472,000.
Mr McHugh, Government Chief Whip and Minister for the Irish language, Gaeltacht and the Islands, said: “I would like to thank the officials in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and also Donegal County Council for their concerted efforts and strong working relationship that enabled us to bring forward such an extensive plan of works for the islands off Donegal.”
Background
See below a brief on the list of works to be completed with grants from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and matched funding from the Donegal County Council
Oileán an Bhráighe – €22,500 for pointing works on 160m of retaining wall
Machaire Rabhartaigh – €75,000 for a crane
Toraigh – €75,000 for a crane
Árrain Mhór – Resurfacing on 650m of L-9033-1 €52,500; Bridge on Ballard Road €33,750; Advice and plan development for removal of invasive species €1,500; Surface on 540m on Bóthar Scréig €39,750; Drainage and bitmac on 420m of L-9063-1 €39,000; Essential works on Lighthouse Road €20,000.
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