Employment in Údarás na Gaeltachta companies in Donegal Gaeltacht areas is now at its highest level in 10 years, according to a new report.
The Údarás end of year review noted that counties Donegal and Galway saw the largest increases in employment in 2018.
156 new jobs were created in the Donegal Gaeltacht in 2018. When job losses are taken into consideration, there was a net increase of 85 jobs, which means that by year end there were 2,278 jobs in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies.
The authority is predicting a further 169 new jobs will be created in Donegal under new projects which were approved by the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2018. The new projects will come with a projected total investment of €8.44 million.
The lowest ever number of job losses in the Donegal Gaeltacht was recorded last year, when employment increased by 4%. The low level indicates a particular recovery and stability in employment in the region, according to the review.
The report said: “It is encouraging for the county’s Gaeltacht areas that there was no fall in employment in the county for 8 consecutive years and that companies are recruiting continuously.”
The newly-opened gteic@GaothDobhair has been hailed as a successful initiative for the region. The co-working hub and office unit has attracted companies such as Pramerica, Meastóirí Domhanda and Optum to established themselves in West Donegal.
gteic@GaothDobhair is set to undergo a major €1.5m expansion in 2019 with the addition of 1,725 square metres in workspace/new office being added to the second floor.
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s gteic @Gaoth Dobhair. Photo Clive Wasson
The review also notes the launch of new Language Planning Areas and the appointment of new Language Planning Officers and an Assistant Language Planning officers in parts of the county.
525 new jobs were approved across all Údarás na Gaeltachta areas in 2018, with the majority in Counties Donegal, Galway and Mayo.
The authority said that Brexit could create difficulties in the year ahead for Gaeltacht companies who depend on UK markets, products and materials.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, said, “Employment levels are increasing in our client companies and are at the highest point in ten years. That said, our client companies must be cautious about the unsettled economic forecast for the year ahead, but we are hopeful that we have the appropriate strategies in place to support them in meeting the challenges and that the resources that are available to the organisation are increasing gradually.
“We particularly welcome increases in our capital budget and other external funding which has been announced and which will provide us with an excellent opportunity to start 2019 on a positive note and to invigorate the implementation of our strategy.”
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