Two additional sites announced by Údarás na Gaeltachta where they will facilitate and support housing development subject to planning

Two additional sites on Údarás na Gaeltachta land, which will provide opportunities to support future housing development, have been approved at a meeting of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Board at Oireachtas na Samhna.

The two sites, one in An Tulach in Baile na hAbhann and one near Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin, are located in the Connemara Gaeltacht. Both sites will be evaluated as a first step, and community representatives will have the opportunity to provide input in this process. There will be ongoing discussions with stakeholders towards the second phase, transfer of ownership for housing development.

These two additional sites are linked to the Údarás’s housing policy, through which the Údarás will support existing funding sources already in place through the Department of Housing and the state. Any development on Údarás na Gaeltachta land will be exclusively for Irish speakers, and this will be a clear condition in any land transfer. There was extensive discussion at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Board meeting about the language question and conditions that will apply to any land transfer in this context. Discussions are ongoing with other state agencies on issues relating to language conditions.

The Board was briefed on the ongoing work on three other sites being considered by Údarás na Gaeltachta:

Sites:

Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal: Preliminary work has been completed on this site showing development possibilities, and discussions are ongoing with stakeholders about land transfer to support housing development on the site.

An Rinn, Co. Waterford: Preliminary work has been completed on two sites in Baile na nGall showing development possibilities for housing and enterprise and community development facilities. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders about transferring some of this land for housing development. Land rezoning will be required in this case.

An Cheathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe: Preliminary work has been completed on two sites in Carraroe showing development possibilities for housing. Discussions are ongoing with stakeholders about transferring some of this land for housing development.

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Housing Policy is a standing item on the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s agenda, and this work will continue to support the Gaeltacht community and facilitate their access to state housing supports while ensuring these developments contribute to the use of Irish as a community language in the Gaeltacht.