Údarás na Gaeltachta, the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht, today (4^th February 2025) released its End of Year Statement for 2024 showing significant achievements in job creation, investment, and language promotion initiatives.

Link: 2024  End of Year Statment

Vacancies: https://udaras.ie/foluntais-eanair-2025/

Key highlights include:

• Highest sales in history across Údarás client companies
• 869 new jobs created in Gaeltacht areas in 2024
• 9,743 employed in Údarás client companies at the end of 2024
• Excess of €7m investment in community development
• Language Plans being implemented in 28 Language Planning Areas
• Roadmap in development for an Irish Language AI tool

Enterprise and Employment 

There was a net growth of 217 in the number employed in Údarás client companies at the end of 2024, bringing the total employed to 9,743. Údarás companies achieved the highest sales in Údarás na Gaeltachta history with €1.098 billion in sales including €658m in exports – an increase of over €20 million since 2023.  There was almost €1.1bn (1.098) in annual sales during the year, which is a 4.4% increase from 2023, and 28% growth compared to 2014.

Employment grew in five of the seven Gaeltacht counties, continuing a post Covid trend that has resulted in employment gains across all Gaeltacht counties since the 2020 pandemic. A further 200 job vacancies were also recorded by the end of the year within client companies spanning all 7 Gaeltacht counties.

Language Planning  

2024 saw 28 Language Plans in operation, supported by an annual budget of €3.9m, supporting 36 posts. In addition to supporting Údarás and Language Planning Officers to encourage Irish language use among Gaeltacht businesses, the Department approved further funding of €3.22m in 2024 for Údarás to develop and deliver two new three-year support programs from 2025 on.

Community Development 

Overall investment in community development exceeded €7 million, including €3.88 million in operational grants for 33 community development organisations supported across Gaeltacht regions. 2024 also saw 953 participants in Social Employment Schemes and a €210,000 fund established for social enterprise projects.

Digital Innovation

Údarás, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), announced in 2024 that it was starting the process of the development of a roadmap for an Irish Language AI tool. The goal set out is independent speech communication with AI choice on any tool by the end of 2026.

Údarás oversaw the operation of 29 digital hubs, as part of the gteic network, four of which are under development. These hubs currently have over 465 employees and 869 total workspaces available.

Education & Training

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s programmes supported entrepreneurs across the country in 2024. Its initiatives are empowering future generations of the Gaeltacht regions and upskilling those currently employed within the Gaeltacht communities.

CUMASÚ, a new pioneering program for Gaeltacht women entrepreneurs launched in 2024 across all Gaeltacht Counties to support women entrepreneurs at the start of their business journeys – there are currently 41 participants enrolled, with a view to increasing this to 150 over the next three years. Its GAIRM graduate programme, in partnership with ATU, is a new two-year management placement programme culminating in a level 9 postgraduate Diploma in Business.

Tourism and Culture

The promotion of tourism in Gaeltacht areas is a key focus area for Údarás. In 2024 there was significant investment in visitor centres and cultural facilities such as €2.41 million approved for the Árainn visitor centre and a new emigrant experience centre being developed in Carna, as well as a partnership with the Great Lighthouses of Ireland for sustainable coastal tourism.

CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta Tomás Ó Síocháin said:

“We are delighted to share these strong results from Údarás na Gaeltachta’s most successful year to date. This statement shows the reach of the innovation and investment across not just Gaeltacht regions, but across Ireland. In 2025, we will continue to build on this growth so the companies that Údarás support continue to strive.

“I am keenly aware that we present this statement shortly after the destruction from Storm Éowyn, the impacts of which are still being felt in many areas across the country. This shows the need for stability of services in the Gaeltacht regions, as well as investment and security for infrastructure to ensure that businesses are protected and can continue to do business when extreme weather events take place.”

Siobhán Ní Ghadhra, Chair of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said:

“I am delighted to acknowledge the strong performance with this end-of-year report, the continued success of our client companies is not only highlighted by the performances recorded in 2024, but also by their continued growth and expansion with a total of 198 vacancies recorded at years’ end. These results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

“While we celebrate this progress, we also recognise the challenges ahead. We are committed to securing a prosperous future for our Gaeltachtaí, supporting the local economy, and ensuring that we continue to nurture and preserve the language that is vital in sustaining viable Gaeltacht communities.”