A Chara – Comhdháil Oileáin Na Héireann, Established in 1984, Is

A chara – Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, established in 1984, is the representative body for Ireland’s off-shore Islands and as such would like to make a submission to the National Planning Framework. We would like to stress that it is vital that all national planning and policy decisions be mindful of the unique geographical, social, heritage, language and demographics of the Islands: many times well-intentioned schemes and programmes devised without Island consultation simply do not work. And while it is true that, “Safe and regular access to the offshore islands has been significantly advanced in recent years through passenger and cargo ferry services or new or significantly upgraded pier and landing facilities. This capital investment, in both infrastructure and services, continues to support the sustainability of island communities” (NPF draft document pg 62) there is no core funding program for the Islands in place so CDP’s and Co-Ops cannot realistically plan into the future. Additionally, funding to the community development groups and Co-ops has been severely cut over the years, so much so that many services have had to be cut. Please see the attached documents that set out Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann policies and actions into the future. Regards, Rhoda Twombly Secretary, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann Rhoda Twombly Secretary Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann Island Policies Supporting sustainable, permanent communities on Ireland’s islands ‘Cead’ Day in Inis Meáin © Nutan The Irish Islands Islands Section within that Supporting islanders to partnership approach, Federation is the Ministry has undoubtedly continue to live on the where islanders are representative body for the contributed to islands requires investment centrally involved in policy inhabited offshore islands improvements in access from the government and and project development of Ireland. Our aim is to and the provision of local authorities and also has produced workable and support sustainable, services for islanders. island specific policies sustainable solutions. permanent communities on which take into account the the islands. We currently particular challenges of have 33 member islands, There has been substantial island living. We set out If you would like further investment in infrastructure with populations from just here our proposals in information about our on the islands over the last one person to 824 and a eleven major policy areas policies and our work, or decade and this, alongside total combined population which fundamentally indeed about the islands of just under 2,900. Our increased subsidisation of impact on the quality of we represent, visit our islands are found along the ferry and air passenger life of islanders and on the website at www.oileain.ie, services and support for coast from Rathlin in Co. long term viability of call us on 099 75096 or health and other essential Antrim, through Donegal, island communities. email us at services, has improved the Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Implementing these [email protected]. quality of life for islanders. Cork. policies will require co- Under the Islands Sub- operation between Comhdháil’s work is Programme of the islanders and local and Current Government policy National Development Plan supported by the statutory agencies and a is that it supports island 2007-2013, the current Department of Community, flexible and imaginative communities in staying on government has committed Rural and Gaeltacht approach to addressing the the islands. That there is a €126m for continued Affairs. needs of small island Ministry with development to sustain communities. Our responsibility for the island communities. experience has been that a islands and a dedicated Access and Transport Policy Access is perhaps the most fundamental issue of concern • Passenger fares for islanders need to be kept low in order to those living on islands – it impacts on every aspect of that they not become a barrier to accessing services and life. In health and welfare, education, employment, social availing of employment and other economic and family life and in business, access is the lifeline of the opportunities. islands. Affordable, frequent, safe transport services, including both sea and air transport and safe piers and • Freight charges to the islands should be subsidised and airstrips are vital to island communities – they are links to kept to a minimum so that islanders face no higher costs the mainland without which islanders could not survive. than their counterparts on the mainland in bringing The viability of island communities will increasingly depend goods and materials home. on their having access to the best communications technology and services. • Freight charges must be standardized across the islands with a fixed list of prices. • Provision must be made for transport in the case of emergencies. (Helicopter pads and helicopter services.) • Community transport must be supported on the islands, with regular services being provided for those without their own transport. • Parking facilities, toilets and shelter must be provided at piers on the mainland which serve the islands. A certain number of parking spaces must be reserved for exclusive use by islanders. • Management plans for piers must be developed and implemented, in consultation with local communities. Inis Meáin • Affordable, reliable and fast broadband access is needed to support enterprise, health, education and social initiatives on the islands and should be provided as a • Essential access infrastructure (piers, airstrips and matter of urgency. All islanders should also be supported helipads) must be provided on the islands and this in learning essential ICT skills. Public internet access infrastructure must be maintained in good and safe must be provided at low cost in a public space on the conditions. islands (in libraries and/or education centres). • Video conferencing equipment should be provided in a • In awarding contracts to passenger ferry/air transport centre on the island accessible to the public (community providers, priority should be given to servicing the centres, libraries, education centres, meeting rooms) so developmental needs of the islanders, rather than the that it can be used for remote meetings, health company tendering the lowest price. These needs include consultations and education. access to employment and education and to essential services. If you would like further information about our policies and our work, or • Given the disparity between islands in terms of indeed about the islands we represent, population, demographics, distance to the mainland and visit our website at www.oileain.ie. difficulty of sea-crossings, the frequency of services must address the needs of particular islands. Schedules should facilitate employment and access to other services and opportunities. Agricultural Policy Many islanders of necessity rely on a number of part- • Payments to farmers under the REPS scheme should be time and/or seasonal jobs in order to sustain their increased to 25% in recognition of the fact that farming on livelihood. Unlike their colleagues on the mainland, island the islands is more costly. The Single Farm Payment farmers have few opportunities to take up alternative forms should also be increased by 50% for island farmers. The of employment. Farming also costs more on the islands: Farm Investment Scheme should be increased by 35% to VAT is effectively paid twice, as it is levied on goods at the allow for the higher costs of bringing in building materials point of purchase and also on the freight coming into the and carrying out building work on the islands. island; there is also the added cost of taking animals to markets, including sometimes having to house them overnight on the mainland; the cost of veterinary care is also • Island farmers should be supported and encouraged to considerably higher. take part in REPS. Where farmers have difficulty in getting planners to draw up REPS plans for them, they should be facilitated, perhaps by the local co-op or development company employing a planner to draw up an island wide plan, and/or producing plans for a number of farmers. • Islanders should be supported and encouraged to produce organic agricultural products. • Islanders should be encouraged and supported in getting involved in Landscaping and other preservation projects. • Islanders should be encouraged and supported in getting Driving cattle on Dursey Island © Nutan involved in agri-tourism. The draft National Rural Development Plan (NRDP) and indeed EU directives on the environment and rural • Islanders should be encouraged and supported in development recognise the importance of farming, not only producing crops and other products with the potential of in sustaining rural populations but also in taking care of the being used as fuels. environment and ensuring biodiversity. Farmers are crucial to maintaining the landscape on the islands. Where farming ceased in islands in Scotland and France, the land soon ● Island farmers should come together regularly, at least returned to scrub and brush. twice a year to discuss issues of concern and so that they Island farmers should be supported so that they can, where can lobby with one voice. they choose, continue to work and take care of the land. Those who wish to diversify into new crops and/or other land based activities should also be supported. • We recommend the inclusion of a fourth category under the Less Favoured Areas scheme – Land on Offshore If you would like further information Islands (not permanently connected by a bridge or about our policies and our work, or causeway to the mainland), where compensation would be indeed about the islands we represent, paid a higher rate that the highest paid at present. EU visit our website at www.oileain.ie. directives and designations on farming will remain in place until 2010, by which stage the Irish government should designate the proposed new category. Childcare Policy Access to childcare is a prerequisite for the full • Supports should be provided to childminders in the development of island communities as it underpins home.

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