Work is progressing well on key improvements to non-county island roads across Donegal.

Preparatory work has got underway on the scheme, with tenders now issued and expected back in the coming weeks.

Members at the Glenties Municipal District Committee were briefed on the scheme this week by the Roads Area Manager, Brendan McFadden.

With support and collaboration between the Island Representatives, Elected Members and Officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Donegal County Council developed and adopted a Policy for Island Roads during 2021. The thrust of this Policy was to allow non-county island roads, that were being used by the public, to be taken in charge by the Council after the Department agreed to fully fund resurfacing works prior to the roads being taken over.

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Department officials and Council staff engaged early in 2022 to identify roads that were eligible under new Policy culminating in an announcement on 09 March of €2.09 million in funding. This will allow for repair of 14 non-county roads which will bring huge benefits to both locals and tourists visiting our Islands.

Welcoming the progress of the scheme, Cllr John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh said: "The new funding was a great result for our offshore islands and is a good example of the different arms of the Council working together. The issue was first raised at Coiste na nOileán meetings, supported by the Glenties Municipal District Committee and was referred to the Roads SPC through the Council's Corporate Policy Group. The SPC developed a policy that was subsequently adopted by the full Council which has now delivered €2.09m in funding for our lslands and hopefully this will continue in future years."