Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The funding arrangements for Údarás na Gaeltachta are primarily a matter for my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance. In 2009, the capital funding being provided by the Exchequer to an tÚdarás amounts to €19.65 million. Furthermore, the organisation is allowed to reinvest any return it receives from sales of assets into its capital programme for job creation purposes. This policy has realised additional resources of over €30 million over recent years.

In addition to the aforementioned sources of funding, an tÚdarás is also administering the enterprise stabilisation fund and the employment subsidy scheme in the Gaeltacht on behalf of Enterprise Ireland. I assure the Deputy that an tÚdarás continues to pursue a vigorous strategy aimed at developing and securing employment in the Gaeltacht. My Department maintains regular contact with the organisation in respect of policy and, in this regard, my officials meet with its senior executives frequently about the management of the funding that is available to the organisation. I am acutely aware of the need to support job maintenance and job creation in the Gaeltacht, especially in the current economic climate, and my Department will continue to work closely with an tÚdarás in this regard.

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