The report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Island Development sets out new mechanisms to deal with the key issue of access services to the offshore islands in a strategic and integrated way. Under these proposals, the relevant local authority islands committees, in consultation with islanders and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, will prepare a programme of works for bringing the level of access services to the offshore islands up to a socially desirable minimum standard. The proposals will reflect the priority needs of the islands concerned. These submissions from the relevant local authorities will form the basis on which funding will be allocated in 1996 by the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating Committee on Island Development.
Funds will be allocated on the basis of need and the quality of proposals submitted. Individual projects will be assessed not only on their merit but, particularly, in the context of the overall strategy for islands as set out in the report. The provision of a scheduled passenger air service to Inishbofin, Inisturk and Clare Island will be considered, along with all other options, as part of this integrated and strategic approach.