Major €35.75 Million Investment Announced for Inis Oírr Pier

The Irish Government has unveiled a significant investment of €35.75 million for the expansion of a pier on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. Gaeltacht Minister Dara Calleary announced this development while speaking to The Journal, emphasizing its importance for both island residents and the influx of tourists.

Calleary, who oversees community and rural development, described the pier project as the largest initiative announced by his department since 2017. “This is the biggest project, €35.7 million towards a new pier, new protection for the people of Inis Oírr. It is important not only for the people of Inis Oírr, who are the most important people in all of this,” he stated. The minister added that approximately 200,000 tourists visit Inis Oírr each year, highlighting the necessity of safe and excellent facilities for both visitors and residents.

Calleary further referred to this announcement as the inaugural project under the new National Development Plan, which outlines a total investment of €275 billion for infrastructure projects. He previously indicated that such initiatives would serve as “game-changers” for the Irish language community and the Gaeltacht. “This investment shows that as a Government we are serious about the future of the islands and the future of the island communities,” he remarked.

Concerns have also been raised regarding delays in publishing a report related to the implementation of ten language plans. John Prendergast, a former Language Planning Officer in Corca Dhuibhne, expressed his worries on RTE Radio na Gaeltachta about the potential benefits that have been lost due to the delay. Calleary underscored the significance of the review process, stating, “It’s vital that it is done properly, and once it is completed, we should be able to publish it.”

The minister confirmed that he would be meeting with officials from his department to discuss the review and aims to ensure its publication as soon as possible. “There is a huge amount of work ongoing by officials in my Department,” he noted.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Foras na Gaeilge, the cross-border language agency, faced a funding crisis due to a lack of increases in its budget for several years. This situation has resulted in a shortfall of approximately €800,000, impacting key organizations such as Conradh na Gaeilge and Gael Linn. The funding issues are partly attributed to the Northern Ireland Department for Communities not providing proportional increases according to the 25/75 funding principle established by the Good Friday Agreement.

Calleary has been in discussions with Gordon Lyons, the Northern Ireland Minister for Communities from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), addressing these funding challenges. “The officials in my Department are working with officials in the North on that challenge. We are focused on that issue and I fully understand the pressure on Irish language organizations,” he stated.

As the Government moves forward with this significant funding announcement, the focus remains on ensuring the sustainability of the Irish language and the communities that support it. The plans for the new pier on Inis Oírr represent a crucial step towards enhancing infrastructure and promoting tourism, fostering a stronger future for the island and its inhabitants.