A total of 208 new jobs were created by Udaras Na Gaeltacht in Co Donegal 2015, according to the body’s latest report.
Anna Ní Ghallachair, Chairperson and Steve Ó Cúláin, Chief Executive, Údarás na Gaeltachta released the details today.
It showed that a total of 533 jobs were created by the authority in the gaeltacht regions last year.
The following the authority’s review of the year as well as its plans for 2016 and moving forward.
The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh T.D. welcomed the report.
He said “These results published by an tÚdarás today are very positive news. The figures show that an additional 215 people were employed in Gaeltacht companies at the end of 2015 in comparison with the previous year. This growth in employment is seen mostly in companies engaged in exporting, an indication that that Údarás’ strategy of encouraging Gaeltacht companies to focus on exports is succeeding.”
2015 Review
Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies created 533 full-time equivalent jobs in 2015. There was a net gain of 215 jobs, the highest net increase since 2005. At year end, total employment in Údarás client companies stood at 7,869, comprising 7,268 full-time and 601 part-time jobs. This strong net job creation performance was achieved as a result of client companies expanding and increasing their employment levels, an increase in the number of start-ups, and fewer job losses throughout the year. There was a significant drop in the number of jobs lost, a decrease of 50% on the numbers lost in 2014 – resulting in the lowest job attrition rate on record.
Employment in the Gaeltacht
The largest increase in employment took place in companies in the Donegal and Galway Gaeltacht areas in 2015. The employment base is now at a stable level, client companies are more competitive and a higher number are exporting. There was an increase in employment in companies operating in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, food and niche manufacturing sectors throughout the year. Job losses occurred mostly in enterprises operating in the services and traditional manufacturing sectors.
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Chief Executive, Steve Ó Cúláin, commented that more than half of the net job increases occurred in companies located in the Donegal Gaeltacht, a total of 116 jobs. “An tÚdarás has focussed a lot of its resources on the Donegal Gaeltacht due to the high number of jobs lost in the region in 2014. I am satisfied to see our efforts coming to fruition with the growth experienced in the area. These companies now have a stronger foundation and many are undertaking new expansion plans. The investment we have made in our business infrastructure locally is helping to attract new projects, and we have seen an increase in the number of business enquiries. We are also delighted to be in a position to support Randox Teo in undertaking significant development over the next 5 years.”
In line with the Government’s increased efforts to stimulate job growth in the regions, as outlined in its Action Plans for Jobs, Mr Ó Cúláin added that the number of new start-ups established in 2015 throughout the Gaeltacht constituted grounds for optimism. “30 new businesses were established in the Gaeltacht last year, and at year end more than 60 people were employed in these enterprises. It is clear to Údarás that there are opportunities to attract new projects and it is important that efforts are continued to attract external and domestic investment to create employment. Further development of local and business infrastructure and the provision of competitive broadband is central to achieving these objectives.”
He also commented on the development programme that has taken place in the aquaculture sector in South Connemara over the past two years, “It is clear that a single bay management plan is the most effective method of developing this sector for the benefit of small coastal Gaeltacht communities,” he said.
Over 580 new jobs approved for the Gaeltacht in 2015
Last year, Údarás na Gaeltachta approved a number of new projects which will see the creation of 586 additional jobs and involve a projected investment of €57 million as the projects are developed over the next few years. Taking into account Údarás’ targeted focus on the Donegal Gaeltacht last year, jobs were approved primarily in this area. Companies operating mainly in the medical devices, niche manufacturing, food and services sectors have plans to expand.
Further growth in the economic impact of Údarás-supported companies
ABSEI research[1] conducted in 2015 indicates that Údarás client companies achieved sales to the value of €843 million. Exports increased by 12%, to €525 million. The ratio of exports to total sales stood at 62%. Gaeltacht companies have a significant economic impact on both the Gaeltacht economy and the national economy. 73% of expenditure was in the Irish services sector, equivalent to €388 million of direct expenditure in the local economy. Client companies spent €192 million on payroll annually, with an average salary of €41,000 per employee in companies with 10 or more employees, an increase of 5% on the previous year.
Social Employment Schemes
Social employment schemes managed by An tÚdarás have an important role in providing work experience and training in the Gaeltacht community. Last year, more than 1,000 participants and 50 supervisors were involved in 47 schemes throughout the Gaeltacht. In 2015, a total of 387 new participants were placed on these schemes and 397 participants completed their scheme.[2]
Irish Language Planning Activities
Further progress was made in relation to the language planning process, with nine new Language Planning Areas (LPAs) announced during the year. Four LPAs were announced in February and four lead organisations were selected to undertake work in those areas. A further five LPAs were announced at the end of September. The applications received are currently being assessed and it is expected that a further five lead organisations will be announced soon. Consequently, a total of 18 lead organisations will be working to prepare language plans in 2016 and it is expected that completed language plans will be submitted to the Minister for approval in the case of nine LPAs during 2016.
During the year, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge established a process for the implementation of the language planning process in Gaeltacht Service Towns in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and information meetings will be held in three chosen towns to begin the next phase. An tÚdarás has developed resources to raise awareness amongst the Gaeltacht community in relation to the language planning process and to provide support for parents raising their families with Irish.
The Department of Education and Skills undertook a review of the provision of education in Gaeltacht schools during the year. In addition, The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht organised a public consultation process to review the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030 and its implementation over the next five years.
Commenting on these review processes, the Chairperson of Údarás, Anna Ní Ghallachair said, “An tÚdarás has played a central role in this work. In addition to meetings with relevant government departments, we organised three information meetings in the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, to afford the community an opportunity to give their views on the policy recommendations in relation to the provision of education in Gaeltacht schools. We also welcome the decision by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to undertake a consultation process with regard to the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language. An tÚdarás expects that practical, realistic and measurable priorities for the next 5-year period will emerge from the consultation process.”
Mrs Ní Ghallachair said, “Since the implementation of the language planning process began in the Gaeltacht, it is clear that communities have embraced the exercise with enthusiasm and worked diligently in partnership with the State in an effort to address the challenges of maintaining, and increasing use of, the Irish language. An important foundation has been laid down, but the next five-year period is critical if work carried out thus far is to bear fruit. A clear, coordinated strategy, in addition to the provision of adequate resources, is required to build upon this foundation and to ensure success. An integrated approach should be adopted in the language plans, where the Irish language pervades all aspects of life in the community: social, economic and educational. A strong, sustainable community is necessary if the Gaeltacht is to survive as a distinct language community in the future.”
Outlook for 2016
Thanks to the hard work and resilience of our client companies we are now seeing a significant recovery. Gaeltacht areas by virtue of their location, have suffered more than others during the economic crisis. This underpins Údarás’ strong conviction that Gaeltacht enterprises, although predominantly located in rural areas, can and will grow more jobs with the right support. By continuing our collaborative approach to fostering enterprise across the regions, we can deliver additional jobs over the coming years.
The challenge for An tÚdarás is to build on our clients’ success and target growth in key sectors with potential such as natural resources, life sciences, engineering, internationally traded services and tourism. If the potential of these sectors is harnessed properly and supported, significant growth in jobs can be achieved on the ground by 2020.
An tÚdarás will continue its focus next year on developing the Gaeltacht’s strengths in the key sectors mentioned. A particular emphasis will be placed on developing value-added food enterprises. It will carry on its work in supporting companies operating in sectors associated with new technologies, both information technology and biotechnology. The organisation plans to intensify its engagement with the Gaeltacht diaspora worldwide in an effort to attract outside investment and returning immigrants.
It is expected that the first set of language plans will be submitted to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for approval during 2016 and an tÚdarás welcomes the challenge of working with the lead organisation to implement these plans over the period of the next seven years. An tÚdarás will continue its work in supporting the Language Planning Areas which have begun the formal language planning process, along with the Gaeltacht Service Towns.
2015 End of year review for Donegal Gaeltacht
A total of 208 new jobs were created in the Donegal Gaeltacht in 2015. When job losses are taken into consideration, there was a significant net increase of 116 jobs overall. There were 2,058 full-time equivalent jobs in Údarás client companies at the end of the year, the highest number of jobs since 2009. Employment was created in companies throughout the Donegal Gaeltacht, such as Arán Ard Teo in Ard an Rátha; Randox Teo and Feamainn Thír Chonaill Teo in An Clochán Liath; R.A. Pacáistí Teo, Fáisc Miotail Teo and Meastóirí Domhanda in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park; and Cora Tine Teo in An Fál Carrach.
New Projects
Furthermore, an tÚdarás last year approved a number of new projects for the Donegal Gaeltacht in which 449 new jobs will be created with an expected investment of over €37 million when fully operational. Support for Randox Teo was approved to assist the company in undertaking the major expansion planned for An Clochán Liath. Support was also approved for other projects; these include Plaisteach Bhaile na Finne Teo and Bia Beo Natasha Teo which will begin trading early in 2016 in Baile na Finne and in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park respectively.
Seven new businesses in total were established last year and there were close to 20 people already employed in those enterprise by the end of the year, including for example Meastóirí Domhanda Teo in Gaoth Dobhair Business Park and Feamainn Thír Chonaill Teo in An Clochán Liath.
Enterprise Development Plan for the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park
In March an tÚdarás published its development plan, Enterprise Development on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, which focused on increasing employment and fostering enterprise development in north-west Donegal, with the stated objective of supporting the creation of 300 new jobs and investing €4.7 million in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park over a three-year period (2015–2017).
For the past year and a half, an tÚdarás has placed specific emphasis on this area and as a result:
449 new jobs have been approved in new projects coming on steam over the next few years;
three new start-ups have been established in the Áislann on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park;
there are new investments planned or currently being undertaken by companies such as Arán Ard Teo in Ard an Rátha; Euroflex Teo and Bia Beo Natasha Teo in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park; and Cora Tine Teo in An Fál Carrach;
a further €440,000 is being invested by an tÚdarás in Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, resulting in the provision of 10 new enterprise units for new projects and the completion of works on the adjacent car park;
Údarás facilitated 10 site visits to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park by entrepreneurs seeking to establish new businesses. Negotiations are ongoing in relation to some of these business enquiries;
promotional and marketing material have been developed and a PR campaign is being initiated to raise the profile of the Donegal area as a suitable location for business;
manufacturing space in the former Largo Foods premises is being modified to provide further production capacity for companies Cóin agus Abhlanna Teo, Kombucha Éireann Teo and Bia Beo Natasha Teo;
an tÚdarás is working with the local chamber of commerce, Cumann Tráchtála agus Tionscal Ghaoth Dobhair, on a number of projects that aim to promote the local economy, including the preparation of a tourism development plan for the area.
Other Developments
Companies in other parts of the Donegal Gaeltacht continued to develop throughout the year and increased their production capability, these include Snáth Dhún na nGall and Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo. An tÚdarás constructed a new waste water treatment system in Eastát Bhaile Mún, and undertook works on the infrastructure in the vicinity of Eastát Tionsclaíochta Chill Charthaigh. A premises on the Údarás Industrial Estate in Na Dúnaibh was redeveloped and is now home to Uppiddee Teo, a technology-based enterprise which employed seven people at year end.
LEADER Programme
The LEADER Programme for Donegal was announced and it is expected that €3 million will be allocated under this programme for the Donegal Gaeltacht and its islands. Údarás na Gaeltachta and Comhar na nOileán Teo (on the islands) will be administering the LEADER Programme in the Gaeltacht for the next 5-year period.
Social Employment Schemes
A total of 314 people were employed on social employment schemes in the Donegal Gaeltacht at the end of the year. These schemes are managed and administered by an tÚdarás and funded by the Department of Social Protection.
Language Planning
Throughout the year, three Language Planning Areas (LPAs) were announced for the Donegal Gaeltacht. Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo was selected as the lead organisation for the Árainn Mhór LPA. Toraigh LPA and Tuaisceart Dhún na nGall LPA were announced at the end of September last year, applications were sought from organisations/community groups interested in preparing language plans in those LPAs and the two lead organisations will be announced in due course. Hence, 6 lead organisations will be preparing language plans for their respective LPA’s in 2016. It is expected that Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair will submit a language plan for the LPA of Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire agus Loch an Iúir to the Minister of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for approval in the middle of 2016.
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