Pilot Support Scheme – Gaeltacht Tourism

Download application form

The aim of the scheme is to support tourism development in the Gaeltacht through targeted investment in high standard tourism products based ón the language and unique culture of the Gaeltacht. The aims are to:

1. Showcase the Irish language — its everyday use and progression — as a central pillar of the tourism projects.
2. Create year round employment opportunities, reducing dependency on seasonal work.
3. Develop shoulder season products & services to extend the tourism season.
4. Enable partnerships and synergies by connecting with existing tourism offerings.
5. Encourage innovation in products, services and/or marketing.
6. Foster co-operation between private enterprise and community groups.

Category A – Private Enterprise (Grant Rate 50%):

• Micro, small & medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Gaeltacht areas or in Language Planning Areas
• Businesses with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50m.
• Businesses registered with the Revenue Commissioners.
• Business operating for 6 months minimum.

Category B – Community Organisations (Grant Rate 75%):

• Community groups, co-operatives and non-profit organisations located in Gaeltacht areas or Language Planning Areas.
• Organisations registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) or as a co-operative.
• Organisations with a governance structure.
• Commercially focused social enterprise in the Gaeltacht

Ineligible Projects:

• Large corporates that don’t comply with SME definition
• Enterprises in operation less than 6 months.
• Businesses with more than 250 employed or more than a €50m turnover.
• Businesses not registered with the Revenue Commissioners.
• Community groups not registered as a CLG or a co-operative.
• Organisations without a governance structure.
• Charities/Informal Groups that are not a CLG.
• Sole Traders/Individuals
• State Companies/Local Authorities (not covered under Category A or B)
• Public Institutions (schools, hospitals, etc)
• Non-commercial organisations (Category B)

Visitor Experiences

Supporting the development of high-quality visitor experiences that promote the culture and language of the Gaeltacht.

Eligible Activities:

• Interpretative centre and museums
• Arts and Culture Centres
• Interactive Exhibitions
• Digital Experiences (AR/VR)
• Guided Tours with strong cultural and language aspect.

Tourism Infrastructure

Covering infrastructure and saleable experience that enhance the visitor experience. Eligible Activities:

• Outdoor leisure and recreational services and water sports facilities
• Adventure and outdoor activity centres
• Walk paths, Cycle paths, Greenways/Blueways
• Signalling and navigation systems (bilingual)
• Public facilities (toilets, parking, seating)

Digital Marketing and Development

Eligible Activities (trí Ghaeilge as well as other languages):

• Digital tourism platforms and apps (must have a commercial/online trading element)
• Tourist websites (bilingual)
• Marketing Material (videos, pictures, brochures)
• Digital Marketing Strategies (Gaeilge)
• Online booking systems

Community Tourism Initiatives

Eligible Activities:

• Development of festivals and cultural events
• Community-based marketing initiatives
• Packaging experiences
• Development of cultural tourism products

Training and Development Resources

Eligible Activities:

• Tourism training programmes
• Staff Training in Irish and promotion of Irish
• Customer Service skills
• Feasibility Study and business plans

The following costs are eligible under the following scheme:

Capital Costs:

• Equipment and Machinery directly related to the project
• Signage and display (bilingual with priority for Irish)
• Digital infrastructure and information technology related to tourism
• enhancement of public facilities

Development Costs:

• Professional and Advisory fees (up to 15% of total grant)
• Marketing and publicity costs
• Development of website and app (with commercial aspect)
• Training Costs
• Feasibility Study
• Translation and Language services

The following costs will not be eligible:

• Recoverable VAT
• Costs incurred before application approval
• Ongoing operational costs (rent, utilities, salaries)
• Purchase of land or buildings
• Vehicles (except specialised tourism equipment)
• Fines, penalties and legal costs
• Interest on loans

Note: The lower of the percentage rate and the maximum grant will always be applied.

General Conditions

1. Application must be made and approved before any incurred expenditure.
2. Project must be completed within 12 months from date of approval, except if a time extension is agreed.
3. Applicants must sign a De Minimis declaration (in application form)
4. Applicant must be tax compliant
5. The same expenditure cannot be funded from different sources.

An Ghaeltacht Ghlas, sustainable development of the green economy in the Gaeltacht regions, is one of the primary objectives set out in Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Strategic Plan. There is an increasing and significant focus on environmental matters, encompassing climate change and long-term sustainability. Projects that align with these objectives will be welcomed.

Údarás na Gaeltachta believes that the Irish language is the unique selling point of the Gaeltacht. Even if the visitor does not speak or understand Irish, they should have a chance to hear and get a feel for the language. To the millions of Irish that learned Gaeilge but never got the opportunity to use it outside of school, tourism in the Gaeltacht gives an excellent opportunity for businesses to offer it. There are many other Gaeltacht traditions that can be shared with the visitor, giving them an unforgettable cultural experience. Whatever business or project you have, explain how you intend to implement the language into your project.

Projects should contribute to the linguistic landscape of the Gaeltacht through the visible and audible use of the language.

Successful applicants under this scheme must outline how Gaeilge is incorporated into their project. On completion of the project, an assessment will be made of the Irish language actions as outlined the application. Failure to fulfil planned actions may have an impact on payment.

Successful applicants will be able to seek advice and help from the language Planning Executive in the Údarás regarding how incorporate Irish into their project. Workshops and info sessions will be available in relation to the use of Irish for marketing and sales.

The application must display:

1. How will the project incorporate and promote the use of Irish
2. Clear objectives relating to team training in Irish and the use of Irish
3. Measures to offer Irish language services to visitors
4. Signage and materials to be in Irish only or bilingual (Irish first)
5. Irish to be visibly on display on any public material and on any community or marketing material

Applicants must include the following:

1. Fully completed application form
2. Detailed cost estimate with at least three estimates for expenditure over €5,000
3. De Minimis approval signed (application form)
4. Latest 3 year financial accounts (for established enterprises)

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Note: Applications must achieve at least 60% in the overall assessment, and meet the minimum marks in each criterion, to be eligible for funding