Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I also wish Deputy Ring the best in his next position, where I am sure he will be as committed as he has been in this position. I thank him for the contributions he has made.

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. Atotal of €30 million has been allocated to Údarás na Gaeltachta from my Department's Vote for the year 2010. Extra funding of €2 million was provided as an additional support to the organisation at the end of 2009, bringing its overall allocation to €39.6 million. Thus, over the two year period 2009 to 2010, an t-údarás will have received almost €70 million from my Department's Vote to allow it to pursue its objectives.

In addition to Exchequer voted funding, Údarás na Gaeltachta 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 t-údarás by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation 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 Údarás na Gaeltachta 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 draw attention to the fact that the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is being delivered by Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas and includes measures providing direct support for investment and job creation. Under the programme, MFG has an overall allocation of almost €17.3 million, with a specific allocation of €1.68 million for business creation and development. Comhar na nOileán, the Leader-partnership company for island communities, most of which are in the Gaeltacht, has been allocated a total budget of €4.6 million under the programme.

See this speech in context