Funding announcement of €604,000 for Donegal's islands Arranmore and Tory

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced €2.25 million for capital works on Ireland's coastal islands - including €604,000 for Donegal’s Arranmore and Tory.

This investment will upgrade roads, piers, coastal protection, street lighting and other infrastructure projects.

Arranmore will see work on Poll a' Mhadaidh Pier to Screig (€49,500); Screig Road junction back towards Leadhb Gharbh (€38,700); Athphort Road (€10,800); Surface dressing works (€12,500) and An Baile Ard dipping pond ring road (€195,000).

Grants to Tory are Baile Thiar - county road to sea wall (€22,500); Poirtín Ghlais road (€40,000); Road to recycling facility (€49,000); Road to Port an Dúin pier (€28,500); Uaigh Environmental Assessment (€4,500); Ailt a' Chorráin Slipway Repairs (€54,000); Machaire Rabhartaigh Ferry Berth Fenders (€45,000) and Inis Meáin concrete Steps at Pier (€54,000).

Galway (€557,730), Mayo ( €121,894), and Cork (€979,763) islands are also included.

In addition, Minister Humphreys published the first progress report on the government's national policy 'Our Living Islands', which supports vibrant, sustainable island communities.

Minister Humphreys said as she launched the Progress Report: "I launched ‘Our Living Islands’ last year, the first national policy for the Islands in 27 years. In conjunction with this new round of funding, I am delighted to outline the actions being taken under the "Our Living Islands" policy, to make our island communities more vibrant, so that people can live and work on the islands sustainable way and for people to visit the islands."

"It is clear that this policy has already had a major impact on island life, as has this significant investment. I am determined that this progress will continue - and that we will succeed in health, education, transport and the environment."

The funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development will cover up to 90% of the capital costs of the projects and the local authorities will cover the rest.