Science and Technology come together in the Gaeltacht hubs

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D. will, this afternoon (30/07/2021), officially open the innovation laboratories facility developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta in gteic@An Spidéal in the Galway Gaeltacht. The laboratory facilities have been developed as an innovation facility for businesses located in the digital hub who would be undertaking concept development or product testing. The Minister opened the three laboratories in which two separate companies are currently operating.

The innovation laboratories located in gteic@An Spidéal encompass 86 sq metres and are being used for various lab functions providing the perfect eco-system for start-ups.  The laboratories are fitted out with water and sink facilities and work benches with ventilation systems that allow for specialised equipment to work effectively in the laboratory.  Being equipped to a very high standard allows for Physical, Chemical and DNA analysis in the laboratories and related technical areas and provides excellent facilities to serve the operational needs of HiTech Health and Epitheal, which are both based in the laboratories.

gteic@An Spidéal was developed with substantial part funding approved under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in recent years and funding of over €424,000 was announced under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Connected Hubs Scheme last week to make improvements to 15 gteic units for energy efficiency upgrades, bike shelters, video conferencing facilities and modern door access technology including other improvement works.

Speaking at the opening the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D. said:

“I am delighted to open the innovation laboratories at gteic@An Spidéal and see how this digital hub is using both technology and science to promote remote working.

This project demonstrates the power of excellent connectivity in attracting high quality businesses to rural communities such as An Spidéal in the Connemara Gaeltacht.  Companies such as HiTech Health and Epitheal prove how businesses can grow and develop while working from rural hubs. It shows to no end how proximity to large cities and towns is no longer a prerequisite for a successful business.

Remote Working and the building of a nationwide network of over 400 hubs is a central part of the Government’s Rural Development policy, Our Rural Future. We are delighted to support Údarás na Gaeltachta as its gteic network continues to grow in Gaeltacht areas around the country.”

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Chief Executive Officer Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh spoke from the event:

“We are delighted that the innovation laboratories have been officially opened today paving the way for a new type of development at our gteic hubs. These facilities provide added value and opportunities to businesses functioning from the gteic hub. Developments like these will enhance our communities, grow businesses and sustain employment in rural Gaeltacht areas.  The funding our organisation has received under RRDF funding has been vital to the expansion of our gteic digital network, a network which has proved to be hugely beneficial to people through the pandemic and will do so for many years to come.”