Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

It is a primary aim of Údarás na Gaeltachta to reverse the downward employment trend in the Gaeltacht and to effect the transition from a declining manufacturing sector to employment in services, including Irish language-centred employment. The organisation also provides supports for community-based projects in the areas of language development, child care, youth services and rural development. Atotal of €30 million has been allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta from my Department's Vote for the year 2010. It is worth noting also that extra funding of €2 million was provided as an additional support to the organisation at the end of 2009, bringing the overall allocation for 2009 to €37.6 million. Thus, over the two year period, 2009-10, an tÚdarás will have received €67.6 million from my Department's Vote in order to allow it to pursue its objectives.

In addition to Exchequer voted funding, an tÚdarás also has access to other sources of income that enable it to promote and stimulate employment creating initiatives, for example, income generated from schemes such as the community employment scheme and the rural social scheme, and income from dividends, fees and the sale and lease of assets. Funding is also made available to an tÚdarás by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through the employment subsidy scheme and the enterprise stabilisation fund. These supports are important to businesses in the Gaeltacht and help them to continue trading and to protect jobs. Last year, for example, these two schemes safeguarded 605 jobs.

I am acutely aware of the challenges and the obstacles facing an tÚdarás in the difficult economic environment currently being experienced at both the national and international level. In this context, it is encouraging to note that 710 new jobs were created in Údarás client companies in the Gaeltacht in 2009. I would also like to draw Deputy Ring's attention to the fact that the rural development programme, RDP, 2007-13 is being delivered by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, MFG, in Gaeltacht areas. While the key RDP measure providing direct support for investment and job creation is the support for business creation and development measure, other RDP measures also have job creation targets and aim to support opportunities for job creation in rural areas. Under the RDP, MFG has an overall programme allocation of almost €17.3 million, including a specific allocation of €1.68 million for business creation and development.

Comhar na nOileán, the Leader partnership company for the island communities, most of which are in the Gaeltacht, has been allocated a total budget of €4.6 million under the RDP. Finally, a further allocation in my Department's Vote in 2010 for Gaeltacht and islands development amounts to €33 million. This expenditure on various schemes, including infrastructural improvements, cultural and social schemes and island transport services, is an important stimulus for the Gaeltacht economy.

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