Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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208. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the Nevin Economic Research Institute quarterly report for spring 2015 showing a concentration of new employment in the Dublin area, her views on the impact of the job creation strategy on the Gaeltacht; the steps she is taking to ensure employment is secured in the Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12325/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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End of year results for 2014, published by Údarás na Gaeltachta earlier this year, show the highest level of job creation in the Gaeltacht since 2008. Údarás na Gaeltachta created 737 new jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2014 and at year-end, total employment in Údarás client companies stood at 7,682. Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to create 570 new jobs in the Gaeltacht in 2015 and to maintain 7,000 jobs in Údarás client companies. In order to enable Údarás na Gaeltachta to fulfil its job creation and job retention role in the Gaeltacht, capital funding of €6.687m is being provided by the Exchequer to Údarás in 2015 in addition to its own resources from the sale of assets and investments.

The Government's commitment to accelerate the jobs recovery in every part of the country through the regional development of Action Plans for Jobs is to be welcomed. In its regional enterprise role in the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, will continue to work towards attracting investment to the Gaeltacht, in addition to supporting micro-enterprises and developing the skills base in the Gaeltacht.