Over €7.4m in COVID-19 supports approved by Údarás na Gaeltachta to assist Gaeltacht businesses
Údarás na Gaeltachta has approved over €7.4m in vital COVID-19 supports to assist Gaeltacht businesses still dealing with the challenges created by the pandemic. Companies in Gaeltacht areas throughout Ireland are continuing to work tirelessly as they face challenges head on.
To date over 435 Gaeltacht companies have benefited from various Údarás na Gaeltachta COVID-19 support schemes to ensure that they have the appropriate advice and plan in place to address difficulties, to ensure cash flow and to assist them in accessing global sales markets online.
As companies approach the Christmas period, it is evident that the way in which people do business has changed entirely and the restrictions and lockdowns during the year have shown, that despite these significant challenges, that it is more important than ever to remain true to fundamental business principles in regard to financial planning and business improvements. Gaeltacht companies tackling the effects of the pandemic have received continuous support from Údarás na Gaeltachta’s executives.
Supports for Sustaining Business
Údarás na Gaeltachta, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, has approved €6.4m in support funding to businesses located in the Gaeltacht to assist them with sustaining business, training, research and financial planning.
As a result of the longstanding memorandum of understanding between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland, Gaeltacht businesses employing ten or more people and exporting products adn services can avail of Enterprise Ireland support schemes in a similar manner to other businesses throughout the Country.
To that end, Údarás na Gaeltachta has approved substantial supports for Gaeltacht businesses over the past few months through a range of different supports and schemes:
- €4.53min supports have been approved through the Sustaining Enterprise Fund for companies in the Gaeltacht to sustain their businesses during the pandemic.
- €1.44min support was approved for companies to explore research & development and innovation opportunities for their businesses.
- €0.43mwas approved to support companies in relation to financial and lean business planning and the training and development of staff.
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s COVID-19 Support Schemes
Over €1m in financial supports has been approved for 413 Gaeltacht businesses in recent months through Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Online Trading Scheme and the COVID-19 Business Continuity Voucher. These schemes were financed by funding from Údarás na Gaeltachta (€525,000), the Department of Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (€75,000) and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (€400,000).
In the Galway, Mayo and Meath Gaeltacht area:
- €504,737was approved for 207 businesses,
- 118applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 89 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved.
The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Services, Food & Drink, and Tourism sectors.
In the Donegal Gaeltacht:
- €266,163 was approved for 113 businesses,
- 74 applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 39 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved.
The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Services, Food & Drink, Tourism and Manufacturing sectors.
In the Kerry, Cork and Waterford Gaeltacht area:
- €231,074was approved for 93 businesses,
- 71 applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 22 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved.
The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Food & Drink, Tourism and Manufacturing sectors.
These supports are part of the integrated State response to this unforeseen crisis which will impact companies and communities for some time to come.
Information regarding Údarás na Gaeltachta’s COVID-19 supports are available here:
https://udaras.ie/en/coronavirus-covid-19/
Advice regarding Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Brexit supports can be found here: