Written answers

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Irish Language

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the progress or otherwise in the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in the context of business and enterprise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60496/22]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of my Department’s role in coordinating the implementation of the Government’s Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022), my Department recently published on behalf of Government the third annual progress report on its ongoing implementation, following Government approval.

The plan itself was first published in 2018 in order to accelerate and better co-ordinate implementation of the Government’s overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 which represents Government policy in relation the Irish Language and Gaeltacht.

This third report provides an overview of the progress made in 2021 on the implementation of the 180 or so actions contained in the plan itself and its publication is in line with the commitment made to publish such reports on an annual basis in the interests of accountability and transparency. The actions are not limited to the business and enterprise sectors.

Key achievements in 2021 that are related specifically to business and enterprise include:

- 825 new full-time jobs were created in Údarás na Gaeltachta client-companies in 2021.

- there were 7,809 full-time jobs and 485 part-time jobs in companies that receive support from Údarás at the end of 2021.

- the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved State investment of €8.07 million in employment, training and education grants during 2021.

- up to €13.75 million in capital provision was approved during 2021 to restore and develop the business infrastructure of the Gaeltacht to help develop employment and new initiatives.

- expansion of the gTeic network of remote and blended working hubs - there were over 320 people, over 180 of whom are not included in the employment figures, working in over 27 gteic Gaeltacht hubs by the end of 2021

- investment in renewables - significant investment was made in 'An Ghaeltacht Ghlas' photovoltaic developments in Údarás na Gaeltachta business parks in Galway and Donegal.

- two new visitor centres opened in Gaeltacht areas; seaweed baths in Leitir Mealláin and Blacksod Lighthouse in Mayo.

- further development of the 'Gaeltacht na h-Éireann' brand to highlight the produce of uniquely Gaeltacht companies including large scale digital campaigns run by Údarás na Gaeltachta for 'Ón nGaeltacht le Grá' for Valentine's Day 2021, 'Blas na Gaeltachta', and 'Faoi Gheasa ag an nGaeltacht'.

- Foras na Gaeilge Business Support Schemes; 47 businesses were funded through the Business Support Schemes in 2021.

- Q-Mark for Irish Language - A further three companies were awarded the Q-Mark 'Gnó le Gaeilge' in 2021, with a further 12 companies undertaking the process to meet the standard required in 2022.

A full overview of progress made and in hand is set out in the report itself which can be found on my Department's website.

I am confident that the additional financial allocation which my Department will be providing to Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2023 will further enable An tÚdarás in taking significant strides to advance their work-plans in support of the development of enterprise and business in Gaeltacht regions.

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