209 new jobs approved & a warm welcome for the new CEO

The last Údarás na Gaeltachta board meeting of the year was held today in the organisation’s headquarters in Na Forbacha. Today’s meeting was also the first attended by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Tomás Ó Síocháin; he succeeds Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, whose five-year term recently came to an end.  The board welcomed the new Chief Executive, and Údarás na Gaeltachta chairperson Anna Ní Ghallachair thanked the board and the staff of Údarás na Gaeltachta for their work in the past year.

Investment was approved today projects in a diverse range of areas, which will provide significant employment in Gaeltacht regions; these include manufacturing, the audiovisual industry, the food and drinks sector and medical devices.

Among the projects granted approval today was a development in Aran Biomedical, the medical devices company in an Spidéal, which will create 45 new jobs on foot of their planned expansion.

The company Cora Tine in An Fál Carrach in the Donegal Gaeltacht, is to create 53 new posts with the help of Údarás na Gaeltachta investment.

Investment was also approved for the audiovisual company Meangadh Fíbín Teo in Conamara, who are to create an extra 15 jobs between now and 2025.

In Co. Mayo, grant aid was approved for Aran Woollen Mills, who are planning significant expansion and the employment of a further 37 people.

Seacláidí na Sceilge in the South Kerry Gaeltacht are also planning further development and the aid granted to them will to allow them take on 14 more employees.

Investment was approved for a microbrewery Tá an Craic sna Cnoic in the Donegal Gaeltacht, a project led by the Mac Dáibhéid family, who have strong links to the Caisleáin Óir Hotel in Anagaire; the company hopes to further expand their production and open a small visitors centre, employing a further 7 people.

Speaking after today’s board meeting, the new Chief Executive, Tomás Ó Síocháin said:

”Today’s strong employment figures demonstrate the valuable work being done by Údarás na Gaeltachta. Employment is an important step in the strengthening of communities and language in Gaeltacht areas and as Chief Executive, I am looking forward to working with the team in Údarás na Gaeltachta, and building on the work which has been done by the Údarás over a number of years.”