End of Year Statement 2023
Growth in employment in Gaeltacht areas – 9,526 employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies, with a net increase of 3% in employment in 2023.
- 1,075 new jobs created in Gaeltacht areas in 2023
- Net increase of 303 jobs in 2023
- 9,526 employed in Údarás client companies at the end of 2023
- Increase in employment in 6 Gaeltacht counties
- More than €1bn in annual sales across Údarás client companies during the year.
- €35.48m capital investment in development and investment infrastructure in Gaeltacht areas
- Approved Language Plans in 28 Language Planning Areas & Gaeltacht Service Towns supported with a budget allocation of €3.9m
- Operational budgets of €4.3m for 35 Community Development Organisations
- gteic – 27 digital hubs opened, 4 hubs in development with more than 470 employed across the hub network
Enteprise and Employment
There was a net growth of 303 in the number employed in Údarás client companies at the end of 2023 bringing the total employed to 9,526. Emerging from the end of the pandemic and facing the challenges of inflation and challenges across international markets, Údarás companies achieved more than €1 billion in sales.
Employment grew in six of the seven Gaeltacht counties; Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath, while Donegal saw a marginal fall of 1% in the numbers employed in client companies.
While Mayo saw marginal growth, employment in the Kerry Gaeltacht grew by 3%, and an increase of 168 jobs in the Galway Gaeltacht led to growth of 5%. Meath and Cork saw growth of 8%. Waterford saw the most significant growth – 27% or 56 jobs in the Gaeltacht areas of An Rinn and an Seanphobal.
Language Planning
Language planning nears full implementation, with 28 Language Plans and 2 Gaeltacht Service Towns in operation, supported by a budget of €3.9m. New research across nearly 800 employees in client companies carried out by Údarás na Gaeltachta during the year showed that 58% are Irish speakers. A pilot scheme is being developed based on the findings which will be rolled out in 2024.
Community Development
Gaeltacht communities are at the forefront of innovation. 35 community organisations received €4.3m across Gaeltacht areas. From among those organisations, 70 applications were submitted to the inaugural Gradaim na Gaeltachta / Gaeltacht Community Awards. These communities with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta are supporting innovation and the use of Irish across areas like tourism, environment, community social services, diaspora and youth activities.
CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta Tomás Ó Síocháin said:
‘These results show the influence of Údarás both in Gaeltacht areas and across the country as a whole. A capital investment of €35.48m in upgrading and developing infrastructure will provide a platform for future development in Gaeltacht areas, where Irish will continue to be spoken as a community language.
2024 will see an emphasis on young people to support language acquisition, creating opportunities in digital creativity, training and education. Climate change will have a significant impact on this generation as indeed will the emerging opportunities in renewable energy both on land and at sea. It is vital that housing needs can be met and in the context of the Údarás na Gaeltachta housing initiative, work has already begun on supply and demand in Gaeltacht areas. “
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media said:
“I welcome the positive results contained in this Statement. Despite a range of challenges, it is clear that the work of Udarás na Gaeltachta continues to have a positive impact in Gaeltacht regions, across the seven Gaeltacht countes, in the area of enterprise and employment and also in the numerous other fields in which the Údarás is active, with the assistance of exchequer funding.”
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’ Donovan, T.D. commented:
“The growth and development evident in this Statement is very encouraging. I look forward to working with Údarás na Gaeltachta and other Gaeltacht and Irish language organisations in the future, in my role as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht.”
Note for Editors:
Employment figures are reported using the methodology recommended by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. This methodology classifies employment in two categories: full-time employment and other. This is the same methodology that is in use by other development agencies, such as Enterprise Ireland. The net increase of 303 jobs is based on a direct comparison between 2022 and 2023 using the recommended methodology.
Tuilleadh Eolais: Rannóg Cumarsáide (091) 503 147
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Údarás na Gaeltachta
Na Forbacha, Co. na Gaillimhe, H91 TY22
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T +353 (91) 503 147