Event report

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. met virtually with islanders from Clare Island, Inis Bó Finne, Bere Island, Oileán Chléire, Sherkin, Inis Oirr, Inis Mór, and Inislyre. The event was organised with Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann who are the representative body of the islanders. Suggestions and proposals raised under each topic are as follows: Health • Islands’ unique experience of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored their particular healthcare needs and challenges • While the EU has performed well in the health area of late (e.g. success of vaccine programme), greater research on mobile, holistic, agile health care services needed. • Centralised healthcare provision is fine but allowing those who live on islands and in remote areas to access services in their homes can bring wide-reaching benefits to these communities. • Preventative healthcare has an important role and should be prioritised • Interventions that will assist in meeting the living needs of older people by enabling them to maintain independence whilst still living on the islands should also be considered. A Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs • Island residents are European citizens the same as everybody else – importance of a body like European Small Islands Federation (ESIN) in giving island dwellers a voice • Unique status of small islands needs to be recognized • Have experienced a very unique population decline over past two centuries • Availability of bespoke, attainable EU funding streams tailored to smaller organisations/minority groups, which can be applied in a straightforward way, would be a welcome step • Explore designating fishing exclusion zones around islands where only islanders are permitted to fish • Blue economy based programmes focusing on islands should be pursued • Navigating the various different directives/ policies that are directly pertinent to remote/small island communities can be a challenge -- consolidation of instruments should be considered. The current complexity can see opportunities and funding lost out on. • Proposal that an EU-wide remote worker category is included within EU freedom of movement rules. • Streamline existing tax and HR laws that can present complications and militate against people remote working in locations like islands • The EU institutions need to set clear targets for their efforts to support remote working as a demonstration of their seriousness and commit to achieving these milestones. • Dependent infrastructure to support remote work must also be provided for – housing, services, utilities • Make sure programme funding reaches the communities for whom it is designated to avoid two tier development 3) Digital Transformation • The transformational impact of digital on islands was emphasised very strongly –some have registered population increase for the first time in generations • Pandemic threw into sharp relief that ensuring connectivity of islands is imperative • While the role of digital in new industries is clear, the introduction of digital tech to traditional industries (e.g. tracking fisheries catches) and everyday activities (e.g. role for the internet of things in elder care) is also important • Digital transformation should be embedded into the likes of the LEADER programme, rural development initiatives, and the European green deal to guarantee that these reach everywhere • In certain cases, engaging with EU can mean using archaic portals – these should be updated • Ireland needs to be more proactive in capitalising on opportunities for support via funding streams like Connecting Europe Broadband Fund – currently not tapping into the possibilities these offer 4) Education, Culture, Youth and Sport • Funding for a pilot study on a hybrid educational model to include an online educational element that would render the individual’s place of no significance • Situation of young people who are compelled to leave islands to attend second level -- EU to create guarantee that will ensure access to education to address this. • Expand the range of subjects on offer in schools – broader curriculum and/or ensure STEAM subjects are available in all schools. • EU should play in role in documenting intangible cultural heritage to ensure this is preserved • Greater supports for provision of leisure and free-time activities that can be accessed online – pandemic demonstrated the possibilities of this mode of learning/engagement.