Údarás plans jobs boost in Gaeltacht

ÚDARÁS Na Gaeltachta has revealed a radical five-year action plan to create 850 jobs a year in Irish-speaking areas.

Authority chief executive Pádraig Ó hAoláin said the scheme would focus on restoring the full-time employment level to 8,500 by 2010. And he said strong economic development and support for the language would be the key for Gaeltacht communities to achieve their full potential.

“All of the evidence shows that the size of the Irish language communities has been reducing and the language has less of a community and family foothold compared to a generation ago,” he said.

Mr Ó hAoláin said Gaeltacht communities and the authority itself faced a two-fold challenge in safeguarding a strong and vibrant future for areas up and down the western seaboard.

“We must protect and invigorate those strong Irish-speaking communities so the language can grow as a living language within geographic and social areas that are vibrant and fulfilling. And to ensure that the public profile of Irish can be revived in the medium term to strong second language status in those areas where it is no longer the community language.”

The body will also target increasing indigenous employment levels from 50% to 60% of overall industrial and services in companies employing up to 20 people.

It aims to restore employment on Gweedore Industrial Estate to its former high of 1,400. “We will be consulting with all of the Gaeltacht communities, drawing up joint action plans that relate to securing the position of Irish or revitalising it where necessary in the weaker areas,” said Mr Ó hAoláin.

It said the strategic plan would support communities, native speakers, and in particular parents, so that they can live their lives fully through Irish. It will assist those with little or no Irish to learn the language to play a full part in the community life of the Gaeltacht.

It will develop a language promotion and support programme in co-operation with local and State organisations aimed at the densely populated Galway suburbs.

Mr Ó hAoláin also stressed the need for action in relation to the Gaeltacht islands which were at a permanent disadvantage.

“Radical action is required to secure the future viability of the islands,” he said.

“They have substantially higher costs of living, and they must be freed of the rigid application of mainland levels of assistance for enterprise promotion and development.”