Over €530,000 in supports approved by Údarás na Gaeltachta to assist Gaeltacht businesses to counteract the effects of COVID-19
Tá tacaíocht shuntasach d’os cionn leath mhilliún euro ceadaithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do chomhlachtaí Gaeltachta chun tacú leo a dhul i ngleic le tionchar na géarchéime COVID-19. Ceadaíodh €532,500 de thacaíocht do 213 gnó Gaeltachta le roinnt seachtainí anuas ó fógraíodh na scéimeanna tacaíochta speisialta - an Scéim Trádála Ar Líne agus Dearbhán Leanúnachais Ghnó COVID-19.
Bhí an-éileamh ag gnóthaí beaga agus meánmhéide ar fud na Gaeltachta ar an dá scéim atá ag tacú leo a gcumas trádála ar líne a threisiú agus straitéisí forbartha gnó a chur le chéile don todhchaí.
Tá roinnt comhlachtaí Gaeltachta faoi bhrú ollmhór de bharr ghéarchéime COVID-19, le caillteanas post i gceist agus éiginnteacht maidir le céard atá amach rompu agus tá Údarás na Gaeltachta i dteagmháil dhíreach lena gcliantchomhlachtaí chun tacú leo agus lena gcuid foirne i rith na tréimhse seo. Ag obair as lámh a chéile le Ranna Rialtais, Gníomhaireachtaí agus Comhghleacaithe Stáit eile ar chur chuige comhtháite Stáit i leith COVID-19 tá Údarás na Gaeltachta tiomanta a chinntiú go bhfuil ár gcliaint agus fochuideachtaí faoi réir agus ar an eolas maidir leis an gcomhairle is déanaí agus na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil.
"This substantial support approved by the executive and Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta through these support schemes is giving small businesses throughout the Gaeltacht the chance to survive the crisis"
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Chief Executive Officer, Údarás na Gaeltachta
The Online Trading Scheme and the Business Continuity Voucher ensured that businesses had the opportunity to assess the difficulties posed by the crisis and to make some progress in dealing with them.
In the Donegal Gaeltacht area:
- €187,500 was approved for 75 businesses,
- 38 applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 37 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved,
- The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Services, Food & Drink, Tourism and Manufacturing sectors.
In the Galway, Mayo and Meath Gaeltacht area:
- €215,000 was approved for 86 businesses,
- 30 applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 56 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved,
- The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Services, Food & Drink, and Tourism sectors.
In the Kerry, Cork and Waterford Gaeltacht area:
- €130,000 was approved for 52 businesses,
- 28 applications were approved for the Online Trading Scheme,
- 24 Business Continuity Vouchers were approved,
- The majority of applications approved were for businesses in the Food & Drink, Tourism and Manufacturing sectors.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in association with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Údarás na Gaeltachta recently announced a fund of €600,000 to allow for the implementation of the Online Trading Scheme to continue in the Gaeltacht. This is significant investment in Gaeltacht companies and the uncertain times of recent months has shown the important of online trading capabilities for any company. Gaeltacht companies are now seizing the opportunity to take their businesses online or to enhance their current online trading offering and in evidence of the restrictions that social distancing will have on some businesses there will be substantial opportunities available for companies online in the future.
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Chief Executive Officer, Údarás na Gaeltachta commented: “This is a very serious and challenging period for Gaeltacht business especially with difficulties in cashflow, liquidity and trading. We are working hard to support our clients at this time and endeavouring to provide essential financial supports where possible. This substantial support approved by the executive and Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta through these support schemes is giving small businesses throughout the Gaeltacht the chance to survive the crisis, to find new markets and opportunities for their innovative services and products.”