The Irish Island Federation has said it hopes a dispute over appointing a doctor to the two Aran Islands of Inis Óirr and Inis Meáin will be resolved this week.
The candidate appointed, Dr Maura O'Meara, was about to leave Inis Óirr after delays in issuing her with a contract.
The new post for the two islands was announced with much publicity last autumn, and Dr O'Meara was offered the job in late November.
However, final approval was delayed, and the island federation feared that the post had become the victim of Government cutbacks.
It sought assistance from the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív.
The federation, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, had lobbied for some time for a GP for the two islands, to ease the pressure on the doctor based on Inis Mór, Dr Marion Broderick.
The population of 28 on Inis Óirr and 150 on Inis Meáin multiplies for eight to nine months of the year, due to tourism.
Dr O'Meara, who is originally from Waterford, and already living on Inis Óirr, was the only applicant when the post was advertised.
