Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues with regard to the funding restrictions on Udarás na Gaeltachta which is preventing the creation of 200 jobs; the action he will take to facilitate the creation of these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29524/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the funding arrangements for Údarás na Gaeltachta are primarily a matter for my own Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance.

My Department maintains regular contact with an tÚdarás in a policy context and, in this regard, I and my officials met with its senior executives twice recently in relation to the management of the funding that is available to the organisation. In 2009, the capital funding being provided by the Exchequer amounts to €19.65m.

I am conscious 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. At the same time, it is important to note that it is incumbent on an tÚdarás, in common with other public bodies, to ensure that it operates within the guidelines laid down in regard to dealing with existing commitments and the creation of additional commitments through the approval of new projects.