2022 End of Year Statement

• 945 new jobs created in the Gaeltacht in 2022.
• Net job increase of 151 jobs in 2022.
• 8,235 jobs in client companies at year end.
• A gain in employment in 5 Gaeltacht counties.
• 444 new jobs approved.
• More than €1billion worth of sales achieved by Údarás-supported companies.
• €19.26m in capital provision approved for the development of Gaeltacht business infrastructure.
• 24 Language Plans being implemented with a budget of €3.2m.
• Administrative funding of €4.3m provided for 33 community development organisations.
• gteic – 27 digital hubs in place with 430 people working in those units

 

 

Review of 2022

 

Gaeltacht employment was maintained at a stable level in 2022, and there was significant growth in several important sectors. There were 8,235 jobs in companies that received support from Údarás na Gaeltachta at the end of 2022, compared to 8,084 in 2021. A significant number of jobs were created in the niche manufacturing, tourism, and language sectors. When job reductions are taken into account, there was a net increase of 151 jobs and increased employment in most Gaeltacht areas, demonstrating the resilience of the Gaeltacht economy.

 

This year’s employment figures – 8,235 jobs – are being reported using a methodology recommended by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Under this methodology, employment is classified into two categories: full-time and other jobs. Previously, employment was reported by full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment. The 2021 employment figures have been restated so that an accurate comparison can be made. 9,491 jobs would be reported in Údarás na Gaeltachta’s client companies for the year 2022 on a total headcount basis. The work being done on the databases and the methodologies used will continue for at least another year.

Regionally, there was a growth in employment in the Kerry Gaeltacht, where there was a net increase of 83 jobs, an increase of 13% compared to 2021. Employment was also strong in the Gaeltacht regions of Waterford and Meath.

 

Following the difficulties of the Covid 19 pandemic, companies faced further economic challenges during 2022, mainly in terms of rising costs, energy costs in particular, and an uncertain international trading environment due to geopolitical unrest. It is clear that some of these challenges will still be with us in 2023. But Gaeltacht companies have shown stability and resilience, driven by constant innovation.

 

There were significant advances in the language planning process in 2022. By the end of the year, language plans were being implemented in 24 of the 26 Language Planning Areas and in two Gaeltacht Service Towns. Implementation of the language plans will begin in the other two Language Planning Areas, An tEachréidh and Bearna & Cnoc na Cathrach, in early 2023. The implementation of the approved language plans involves a total annual investment of €3.2 million.

 

During the year, the Glúin Z project aimed at young people in the Gaeltacht was launched, which will be a cornerstone of the youth strategy of Údarás na Gaeltachta in the coming years.

The gteic network was developed and expanded; there were more than 430 people working in 27 digital hubs at the end of the year.

The Gaeltacht Social Enterprise Strategy was launched, as well as two new support schemes and an information campaign regarding social enterprise, to ensure so that organisations and community development committees are aware of the benefits of Social Enterprise for their respective communities. There has been a substantial increase in funding for cooperatives and community development organisations, enabling them to undertake ambitious plans, in collaboration with Údarás na Gaeltachta.

 

Towards 2023

 

Significant progress is being made with the ‘An Ghaeltacht Ghlas’ Údarás na Gaeltachta’s strategic green strategy. Photovoltaic energy projects have been launched in Gaoth Dobhair, An Cheathrú Rua and our business parks. Further emphasis will be placed in 2023 on support for Gaeltacht client companies to take steps in relation to renewable energy and climate-change. We will also continue to support the development of Ros an Mhíl as a strategic location to serve the offshore renewable energy sector.

 

There are plans to further strengthen the gteic network and increase the opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses and remote workers in the Gaeltacht.

A Micro-Enterprise Strategy will be published in early 2023 to support small businesses and encourage the establishment of innovative indigenous companies, building on what has been achieved in the field of Social Enterprise in 2022.

 

We recognise the importance of the tourism sector as an employer, particularly in more remote Gaeltacht areas. We will build on the progress made in 2022, continuing our support for important strategic tourism projects, including Coláiste Íosagáin, and Solas (Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh); we will also continue with our successful Tourism Community Development Programme.

There will be a strong focus on language tourism during 2023 and on the Irish Language Experience, developing opportunities for people to learn Irish while on holiday in the Gaeltacht.

We intend to develop several pilot packages in the coming year to test and measure this market. Special recognition will also be given to a limited number of underdeveloped areas in the Gaeltacht and specific plans will be tailored to their requirements, to enhance their tourism product.

 

At the beginning of 2023, special emphasis will be placed on young people in the Gaeltacht. We intend to launch an ambitious plan, in collaboration with Gaeltacht and Irish language stakeholders, to support young people in the Gaeltacht regions, emphasising their unique identity and ensuring opportunities for them to flourish and thrive as a language community, building on the Glúin Z project launched in 2022.

 

2023 will be a vital year for the Language Planning Process. Language plans are now being implemented in almost all Language Planning Areas and Údarás na Gaeltachta will be supporting this implementation through research and guidance; we are currently examining the best way to support the Irish language in our client companies; we are also carrying out research on the Irish language in the retail and hospitality sector.

 

Tomás Ó Síocháin, Údarás na Gaeltachta CEO stated:

 

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s positive year-end statement reflects the long-standing relationship between the Gaeltacht community, client companies large and small, those involved in education and research and the staff and Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. It is my privilege as the newly appointed Chief Executive to welcome the publication of this statement, and to give due recognition to the work of the current team and those who have gone before them.

 

Reclassification work on the employment figures is underway, work that will put Údarás na Gaeltachta in line with other state agencies. Notwithstanding this necessary reclassification, there is an improvement again in this year’s employment figures. This important technical work will continue over the coming years. The gteic network is flourishing and as it develops, it will provide both private and public services to the Gaeltacht community, ensuring the Gaeltacht’s position as a national leader in innovation. We now have a chance to share those stories of innovation and growth with a wider community and develop new links and new opportunities for collaboration for Údarás na Gaeltachta. Work is continually underway on the development of Gaeltacht enterprise facilities, with the over-arching aim of consolidating the Irish language as the community language in the Gaeltacht. In that context, the progress in the area of language planning is immensely positive, and we will build on this further in the coming year, focusing specifically on young people and certain enterprise sectors.

 

As we press ahead with our development plans, and cognisant of the risks of an uncertain economic outlook, I believe a strong foundation has been and is being laid, to enable us to face those coming challenges. The environment around us is constantly changing: climate change, the impact of technology and numerous other disruptions are creating both challenges and opportunities for the Gaeltacht community and for our language.”

 

 

 

 

Údarás na Gaeltachta chair, Anna Ní Ghallachair said:

“The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta takes great encouragement from these positive employment figures, demonstrating the resilience of Gaeltacht employment at a time of international economic uncertainty. Progress can be seen in certain medical and engineering sectors, where high-quality jobs are available for the Gaeltacht community. The Board will continue the support given to those sectors and other sectors which are showing strong growth potential, such as the natural resources sector. Significant progress has been made in terms of language planning and language plans are now being implemented in almost all Language Planning Areas. The Board is proud of the dedication and commitment of the Language Planning Officers and the Assistant Language Planning Officers. The positive impact of their efforts can be seen throughout the Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta hopes that the research we are carrying out on the use of Irish among important target groups: client companies, the hospitality and retail sector, will be of help and support to their important work in 2023 and for years to come.”

 

 

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media said:

“I welcome the positive results contained in this Statement. Despite a range of challenges, it is clear that the work of Udarás na Gaeltachta continues to have a positive impact in the Gaeltacht regions, in the area of enterprise and employment and also in the numerous other fields in which the Údarás is active, with the assistance of exchequer funding.

 

Minister for State for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’ Donovan, T.D. commented:

“The growth and development evident in this Statement is very encouraging. I look forward to working with Údarás na Gaeltachta and other Gaeltacht and Irish language organisations in the future, in my role as Minister for State for the Gaeltacht.”