Grants totalling €370,000 have been allocated for improvements in roads, seawalls, slipways and coastal defences.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, welcomed the formal transfer of responsibility to her Department for the development of the offshore Islands.

The Islands to benefit from the funding are Cléire, Heir Island and Sherkin Island in Cork; Inishbofin and Árainn (Inis Mór) in Galway; and Árainn Mhór in Donegal.

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Works to be undertaken with the funding include resurfacing of roads, repairs to sea walls and slipways, and work on damaged coastal defences.

Minister Humphreys said: "Our offshore islands and their communities are an integral part of the fabric of rural Ireland. The Government's ambition is to ensure that our offshore islands continue to support sustainable and vibrant communities and that visitors have an opportunity to experience and appreciate the unique culture, heritage and environmental richness the islands have to offer.

"The issues affecting our islands are similar to those in the rest of rural Ireland, whether they relate to employment opportunities, access to services, or the social and economic impact of COVID-19. That is why the Taoiseach decided to assign responsibility for the islands to the Department of Rural and Community Development."