More than €1.7 million has been awarded to five county councils to carry out improvement works on various islands around Ireland.

The grants have been awarded to Sligo, Cork, Mayo, and Donegal and Galway County Councils, who will each provide match funding to deliver the projects. Discussions are ongoing between the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Galway County Council regarding further works to be undertaken on the Galway islands.

Projects being funded include the provision of a helipad on Inishturk, a resource that will provide further support for the island population. This funding will also support upgrading of some 21 separate roads on islands along the coast. Other works include pointing on 160 metres of retaining wall at Oileán na Bhráighe in Co Donegal, as well as support works on the pier at Coney Island in Co Sligo.

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Announcing the grant funding, Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh, said: "As part of the Government's National Development Plan my Department will be investing €27 million in island marine infrastructure over the next 10 years.

"These kinds of investments are about improving the lives of islanders, improving accessibility, investing in the future of island communities and in works that will sustain and develop vital tourism offerings. 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 these communities."

(LM)