Regional: Funds for an airstrip on the Connemara island of Inishbofin and a cable car link to Inishbiggle, Co Mayo, are reflected in a 22 per cent increased allocation for offshore islands. Lorna Siggins reports.
A 33 per cent increase in RAPID funding for disadvantaged areas on the mainland, an 18 per cent increase for drugs initiatives, and an 8 per cent increase in spending on community/voluntary services and local development has also been allocated to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív.
The Minister, whose brief straddles both urban and rural peripheral communities, said an overall 19 per cent increase in estimates for his Department would have a "particularly significant impact on the lives of people in deprived areas". The Minister also welcomed the fact that the Estimates were published for the first time yesterday in Irish.
In spite of recent controversies, Údarás na Gaeltachta is to receive a 7 per cent increase in capital and 6 per cent increase in current spending, which is ahead of the inflation rate.