Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs her assessment and interpretation of the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta in supporting and grant-aiding both Irish language enterprise and other forms of enterprise projects in Gaeltacht communities in counties Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Meath and Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7639/11]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs her position on the level of capital budget allocated for Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for the agency to meet job creation targets and to provide other support to enterprise in areas of counties Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Meath and Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7640/11]

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans for Údarás na Gaeltachta as an agency supporting job creation in areas of counties Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Meath and Waterford, to feature in the forthcoming jobs budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7641/11]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 to 347, inclusive, together.

Údarás na Gaeltachta's statutory role, as laid down in the Údarás na Gaeltachta Acts, 1979 to 2010, is to promote the preservation and extension of the use of the Irish language as the principal means of communication in the Gaeltacht. As the Deputy will be aware, the recently published 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language proposes the establishment of an Irish Language and Gaeltacht Authority (Údarás na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta) to act as the main implementation agency for delivering the Strategy. The Strategy envisages that the new Authority will function on a national basis, incorporating relevant functions, including an enterprise function, currently performed by Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht. The specific role and functions of the new Authority would be defined in new legislation, which, it is envisaged, would be published in 2012.

I am satisfied that the work undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta has been of considerable economic and cultural benefit to the Gaeltacht. Results from the Annual Business Survey of Economic Impact 2008 (ABSEI), carried out in Gaeltacht companies in 2010 by Forfás, highlights the significant impact of Údarás na Gaeltachta on the Gaeltacht and on the national economy. The ABSEI, which surveyed companies that include approximately 77% of Údarás supported employment, indicated that total sales in client companies of Údarás amounted to approximately €750m, of which €354m were exports. The survey also illustrated that 40.6% of Gaeltacht companies are engaging in R&D activities. These results have been endorsed by two further studies undertaken recently by international economic consultants, Indecon, for Údarás.

Regarding the forthcoming Jobs Budget referred to by the Deputy, officials from both Údarás na Gaeltachta and my Department are in contact on an ongoing basis with a view to maximising the potential for employment creation in Gaeltacht areas. Any potential initiatives identified as part of this ongoing process will be used to inform proposals for job creation which are being developed at a national level.

I recognise the constraints placed on Údarás na Gaeltachta by the reduction in its capital allocation from the Exchequer from €18m in 2010 to €6m in 2011. This reduction must be placed in the context of additional income of approximately €6m from its own resources, which Údarás na Gaeltachta will have available for capital expenditure in 2011, and also in the context of the difficult economic environment in which the State finds itself. Any decision with regard to Údarás na Gaeltachta's capital allocations for 2012 and 2013 will have to be made in this challenging economic context and in the context of the changing role of the organisation as proposed in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.