Written answers

Thursday, 20 October 2016

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Job Creation

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress as provided under the programme for Government regarding an extra €300 million in capital funding between Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta; the total amount of expenditure allocated to this commitment in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31376/16]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that job creation in the Gaeltacht, through Údarás na Gaeltachta,is recognised as a key priority in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Programme also includes a commitment to an additional €300m over the 5 year period 2017- 2021 for Enterprise Ireland (EI) and Údarás na Gaeltachta.

I should say that an additional €1m in once-off capital funding had been secured for Údarás na Gaeltachta as part of the 2016 Revised Estimates. This has been retained for next year, which means that €6.687m is the new capital baseline in Budget 2017 for Údarás na Gaeltachta – an increase of €1m on the baseline in Budget 2016. In addition, I have secured an additional allocation of €2.4m for Údarás for capital projects in 2016. I will continue to seek additional capital resources for Údarás over the coming period.

I understand that additional capital has been provided for EI and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for 2017. In that context, I wish to advise the Deputy that Údarás na Gaeltachta and EI have agreed a protocol in relation to LEOs. The aim of this protocol is to ensure equal opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses with regard to Government supports. This protocol is being put in place to ensure that all client enterprises of Údarás na Gaeltachta and LEOs have equal access to services and funded programmes and will benefit from enhanced collaboration and information sharing between the organisations. Údarás na Gaeltachta and the LEOs have a good working relationship at local level. This protocol will build on that relationship and ensure that Údarás na Gaeltachta clients have access to the extensive expertise of the LEOs through their training and mentoring programmes.

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