Enterprise and job creation top of Údarás agenda

By Martina Nee

The promotion of enterprise activities, maintaining and creating jobs is at the top of the agenda for the new board of Údarás na Gaeltachta which has been awarded a total of €18.6 million from the Exchequer for capital and current expenditure.

The board, chaired by Anna Ní Ghallachair, met for the first time at Údarás na Gaeltachta, Na Forbacha, on December 7 last during which members were also informed that an estimated budget of €10 million, provided by the Exchequer and from the organisation’s own income sources, will go towards the creation of jobs. It is further hoped that Údarás na Gaeltachta will be able to obtain additional capital funding as a result of its co-operation with other national development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA, BIM, and Bord Bia, to assist in the promotion of enterprise activities which will help maintain current employment levels, and stimulate further growth.

As well as welcoming the €3.4 million provided by the Exchequer for community and language development activities, the board also discussed a number of topics including enterprise projects, work programme, and procedures relating to the requirements of the organisation’s governance procedures. It was agreed that a specific discussion in relation to the organisation’s language planning and development strategy for the future would take place at the next board meeting.

The Minister of State Dinny McGinley TD met with the new board and discussions took place regarding the budget for 2013, functions of the Údarás in accordance with the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht Act 2012, and the importance of strengthening the enterprise development and job creation role of the organisation. The board expressed its concern over the decision to amalgamate COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.