The mission of the Office of Insular Affairs is to promote the economic, social, and political development of the insular areas. Throughout most of 1995, the functions and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior for U.S. affiliated insular areas were delegated to the Assistant Secretary Territorial and International Affairs. The new office is significantly streamlined from the previous organization, with the number of positions reduced from 45 to 25. Technical assistance is provided to insular areas and covers all aspects of government operations. Program and policy coordination is carried out with Congress and virtually every Federal department and agencies.
Insular issues are often complex and politically sensitive.
Grants are provided to the insular areas to promote the goals of the Office of Insular Affairs. The grants range from small technical assistance projects to major construction projects and require continuous management and monitoring. In terms of performance, the Office of Insular Affairs is very proud of the small percentage of its total budget which is devoted to administrative costs. In 1995, the ratio was less than one percent. This rate is expected to continue in fiscal year 1996.