Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. Both of my parents are from the same county as the Deputy and I absolutely want to support the Gaeltacht region. The Minister and I hope to visit the area in the coming period. I acknowledge that there difficulties with the present funding situation. Officials in my Department are engaging with officials in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation which funds the scheme. Those officials will continue to pursue this matter as a priority.

As the Deputy mentioned, Údarás na Gaeltachta is important to ensure that Irish remains the communal language of the Gaeltacht, promote enterprise in the region, develop job creation initiatives and support strategic language, cultural and community-based initiatives. An tÚdarás promotes productive employment through the development of local natural resources, skills and entrepreneurial abilities, and aims to attract mobile investment to the Gaeltacht. It also promotes and supports community development initiatives and a wide range of language, cultural and educational schemes aimed at strengthening the place of Irish as the principal means of communication among all sections and sectors of the community.

The Deputy asked specifically about the scheme and the funding shortage. Those matters are currently being actively examined, as I have referenced, with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation which is involved in the scheme. We want to ensure that Údarás na Gaeltachta and LEOs can deliver on their remits. It is welcome that we have had such demand for the scheme during the pandemic and it is important that we support all businesses, particularly those in Gaeltacht regions, during this difficult period.

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