The cost of getting to and from the State's offshore islands is set be cut under new rules announced today.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív ordered that fares on Government-subsidised ferry services be capped.
When contracts are renewed adult return fares will be cut to €8, students will travel for €5 and children under five will go free. Current rates are up to €15, €13 and €7 for the same fares. Government funding will subsidise the cheaper fares.
Ferry contracts for Clare Island and Inis Turk, Co Mayo, Inisbofin and Oileáin Árann, Co Galway, are to be renewed this autumn.
The contract for Heir Island, Co Cork, is up in April 2006, while the contract for Toraigh, Co Donegal, is to be renewed early in 2008.
The new rates will not apply to tourists, however, whose fares levels will be dictated by market demand.