Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In 2007, the Minister of State tells us, Údarás na Gaeltachta created 1,038 jobs. In the same period, however, 965 jobs were lost in the Gaeltacht, giving a net gain of 73 jobs. Since then, there have major job losses in Gweedore, Achill and An Daingean in Kerry, with the closure of Contact 4. The staff of that company in the three locations are owed five to six weeks' wages. They received a telephone call and, one hour later, were out the door and the factories were closed. This is unacceptable. Instead of the Department claiming back its grant aid, the focus should be on ensuring that the staff receive their wages.

The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, is in the United States where he is telling people that for the Irish language to survive in Gaeltacht areas, there must be 250,000 Irish speakers. What action is being taken by the Department in terms of rolling out the infrastructure needed in Gaeltacht areas? If industries and workers are to be attracted into Gaeltacht areas, the infrastructure must be in place, including roads, water and sewerage. Broadband provision is particularly important for business. What efforts are being made in this regard?

Is the Department working in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta to research how more jobs can be created in Gaeltacht areas? The language will not survive in these areas unless people are attracted to live and work there. What are the Department's plans to achieve this end?

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