Statement from the Údarás na Gaeltachta Board Meeting – December 3rd 2021
Support for 74 new jobs approved with an investment of up to €3m in Gaeltacht companies
The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved a number of projects today (03/12/21) which will result in the creation of 74 new full-time jobs and an investment of up to €3m through private and State investments when these projects are underway. The majority of the projects in which the new employment is to be created related to supporting Gaeltacht companies in Counties Galway, Donegal and Kerry.
€1.26m approved for the implementation of 8 language plans in 2022
The Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved funding of €1.26m today for lead organisations to implement language plans in 10 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas as well as two Gaeltacht Service Towns. The support represents annual funding for the implementation of the plans which is funded from finance made available by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the language planning process.
25 language plans out of the 26 language planning areas have received approval to date in addition to 2 Gaeltacht Service Towns out of the three that have been identified in the Gaeltacht.
19 Language Planning Officers and four Assistant Officers are employed in 19 LPAs at the moment. Language plans will be implemented in all of the 26 Language Planning Areas during 2022 and funding will be approved for the plans as they come to implementation stage.
| Language Plan | Lead Organisation | Implementation Year | Amount |
| LPT Árainn Mhór | C.C. Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo | Year 4 | €100,000 |
| LPT na Rosann | Forbairt na Rosann CTR | Year 3 | €100,000 |
| BSG an Chlocháin Léith | Forbairt na Rosann CTR | Year 1 | €80,000 |
| LPT Thoraí | C.C. Thoraí Teo | Year 2 | €100,000 |
| LPT Mhaigh Eo Thiar | Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla CTR | Year 1 | €100,000 |
| LPT Chois Fharraige | Fóram Chois Fharraige um Pleanáil Teanga | Year 3 | €150,000 |
| LPT Mhaigh Cuilinn | Forbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn Teo. | Year 3 | €100,000 |
| LPT na Ceathrún Rua | Comharchumann Mhic Dara Teo | Year 4 | €100,000 |
| BSG Dhaingean Uí Chúis | Dúchas an Daingin | Year 1 | €80,000 |
| LPT Chiarraí Thiar | C.C. Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne Teo | Year 4 | €150,000 |
| LPT Chléire | C.C. Chléire Teo | Year 1 | €100,000 |
| LPT Mhúscraí | Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí Teo | Year 3 | €100,000 |
gteic Digital Hub to be developed on Málainn Bhig in Donegal
As part of the continued expansion of the gteic network, the Gaeltacht digital hub network, the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved capital funding of €50,000 for Donegal Country Council at their board meeting today (03/12/21) to develop a gteic digital hub in Málainn Bhig in Co. Donegal. Donegal County Council is the lead project partner in relation to this development on behalf of Coiste Forbartha Mhálanna Bige (Malinbeg Development Committee).
The Board approved capital to part fund the complete redevelopment of the Old Málainn Bhig School in order to adapt it to allow for a 110 square metre enterprise space downstairs and a gteic digital hub upstairs.
It is hoped to create an attractive 110 square metre space as a high-quality digital hub which will have 6 hot/shared desks, meeting space and a canteen. Significant funding has been approved for Donegal County Council through the Connected Hubs scheme to complete the development and the County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta have been working together for several years to develop a number digital hubs in the county.
gteic Gréasán Digiteach na Gaeltachta is a network of 31 innovation & digital hubs being developed by Údarás na Gaeltachta in locations throughout Gaeltacht areas. The gteic digital hub network will provide highspeed broadband facilities in rural Gaeltacht areas to nurture job creation, assist with remote working, facilitate the return of the Gaeltacht Diaspora and to develop a community of hubs, where the unique Gaeltacht culture fosters creativity and innovation.
The gteic at Málainn Bhig will be the ninth gteic to be developed in Donegal along with gteic@Gaoth Dobhair, gteic@Carraig Airt, gteic@An Tearmann, gteic@Árainn Mhór, gteic@Na Rosa, gteic@Cill Charthaigh, gteic@Baile na Finne and gteic@Toraigh.