Latest news with #ÚdarásnaGaeltachta
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
First renovations begin on Aran Island heritage centre as planning permission is put forward
The current building was once the former coastguard station and was built in 1875. The site sits north of the village of Cill Rónain, the village Garda station, fire station, and post office – an approximate 10-minute walk from the ferry docks. As the building is a protected structure, improvements are being planned to make it more fit for purpose while preserving its original historical character. A new lift and stairs will be added to a self-contained portion of the internal structure will be separate from the heritage site so not to build into the 150-year-old building. Internal renovations to the café and visitor centre will include updated signage and a new seating layout, as well as a replacement of windows throughout. Because the existing wastewater treatment system is undersized and no longer fit for purpose, the planning application also requests its replacement. Confirmed by Údarás na Gaeltachta, this planning application is part of the works funded by the €3 million given to build a new visitor centre on Inis Mór called 'Árainn – Place of Stone Visitor Centre'. Plans for the new centre according to Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta include an immersive visitor attraction celebrating the Irish language and cultural heritage of the Island the Irish Independent reported last year. The funding was intended to provide a café, visitor orientation area, and changing facilities, with the centre's new 'cutting-edge' vision aimed at encouraging longer stays on the island and extending the overall tourist season.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Ensuring housing the best way to get people to live on gaeltacht island, says co-op manager
Ongoing housing shortages are 'undermining' the work carried out in gaeltacht regions and pose a 'significant obstacle' to recruit people to work in such communities. This is according to the regional authority responsible for the economic, social, and cultural development of Irish-speaking regions, Údarás na Gaeltachta. The comments come amid serious housing shortages on Cape Clear, Cork, and how the lack of housing there threatens the island's survival. The Irish Examiner last month highlighted a search by the island's co-op, Comharchumann Chléire Teoranta, for a new teacher and families. Housing has become a particularly acute issue on what is one of only six of Ireland's inhabited islands in the gaeltacht. An Údarás na Gaeltachta spokesperson said: 'We are acutely aware of the housing challenges that exist across gaeltacht areas, including the islands. 'While Údarás na Gaeltachta's remit does not cover housing provision, we recognise the lack of adequate housing presents significant obstacles in recruiting skilled workers and for maintaining vibrant Irish-speaking communities. The housing shortage represents a critical infrastructure gap that undermines the economic and community development work we undertake The warning echoes one made by the body in September 2022, when it warned holiday homeowners are among the biggest threats to the survival of the Irish language. It said the lack of housing in gaeltacht areas was forcing young couples to move away from parts of the country where Irish is the predominant language spoken. With just four children enrolled to start in the island's primary school this year, there are concerns about Cape Clear's Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Chléire ability to stay open. Restoration for renting In a bid to encourage people to move to the island, Comharchumann Chléire Teoranta started persuading islanders to use government grants to restore derelict properties and make them available to rent. Two properties are due to be ready for occupancy by the end of the year, with one due by the end of August. A points-based competition run solely by the co-op to find tenants for these homes was launched in July and has attracted interest from 16 families. One of the main criteria is that families would have children of primary school-going age, and two families have so far been chosen as suitable. They each have children, their parents are employed, and can work either in a hybrid or remote capacity, and they either speak Irish or at least have a connection to the island. The rent they pay and the length of time they stay will now be determined by whatever agreement they come to with the respective landowners. Comharchumann Chléire Teoranta Bainisteoir Kevin McCann, who runs the island's co-op, says young Irish people are forced to leave due to housing pressures. Picture: Neil Michael. Comharchumann Chléire Teoranta bainisteoir Kevin McCann said: 'We are delighted with the result of the competition we ran. Our overall aim is to get permission to build gateway housing on the island that people can live in for a period of time before they build their own property on the island. "We want to encourage people to come to the island and live, and the best way to do that is to make sure there is accommodation for them when they get here.' Údarás na Gaeltachta added: 'We have seen first-hand how businesses struggle to attract and retain employees when suitable accommodation is not available, and how young Irish speakers are forced to leave their communities due to housing pressures. 'We continue to work collaboratively with local authorities, government departments, and other stakeholders to highlight these challenges and advocate for solutions. 'We regularly engage with the Department of Housing and local councils to emphasise how housing shortages directly impact economic sustainability in gaeltacht areas. 'We believe that a co-ordinated approach between all relevant agencies is essential to address both the economic and housing needs of gaeltacht communities, ensuring that our investments in business development can achieve their full potential in supporting thriving Irish-speaking communities.' Cork County Council was asked for a comment.
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New initiative launched to bring vacant homes in the Galway Gaeltacht back to life
An Spidéal and An Cheathrú Rua have the largest populations of Irish speakers in County Galway. To be successful in this project, a new position as the Coordinator of Empty Houses will be created whose job it will be to find homes and occupants eligible. ''This initiative stems from a decision by the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta to facilitate and support existing Government schemes to address the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas,' Údarás na Gaeltachta CEO, Tomás Ó Síocháin, said. 'Similarly, Údarás na Gaeltachta is supporting a number of communities to develop community housing initiatives and offering suitable sites from the Údarás land portfolio to support Irish-language-led sustainable housing development in Gaeltacht areas.' Recent figures show that Gaeltacht areas have a higher percentage of vacant homes (11pc) than the national average of 8pc. To combat this, the organisation will place a special focus on communities that are losing population. The Galway Gaeltacht makes up 26pc of the total Gaeltacht area at 1,225 km2. In March of 2025, The Irish Independent reported on protests by BÁNÚ at a County Council meeting stating four primary reasons people are 'pushing away from the area'. 'The lack of rental accommodation, high housing prices, planning restrictions on one-off houses in rural areas, and little or no schemes of houses being developed in Irish speaking areas by the housing authorities.' The goal is that these homes would be classified as long-term rentals to tenants who will hold Irish as the main household language. While this is a mandatory clause of the initiative, other details like incentives for dwellers in these homes have not been confirmed.
Irish Examiner
29-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Údarás na Gaeltachta looking to develop AI for Irish language
State agency Údarás na Gaeltachta is looking to develop the capacity for AI technologies to communicate as Gaeilge, new documents have shown. The body, which is responsible for the development of Irish-speaking regions of the country, is appointing consultants to provide guidance to its AI development team and support discussions with leading AI companies to advocate for Irish language service development. Its main goal is to create speech-to-speech capacity in the Irish language for generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which would see people able to speak to an AI in Irish and have it respond in the same language. It comes after Údarás na Gaeltachta first went to tender late last year for technology providers, researchers, and stakeholders to give feedback on how the presence and usability of the Irish language could be enhanced on such AI models. '[We seek] professional consultancy services to support the development of Irish language capabilities in AI technologies,' it said. 'The contractor will serve as a core member of Údarás na Gaeltachta's AI team, providing support in future strategy development and implementation.' The agency set out primary objectives for these consultants to focus on, which includes supporting the drafting of scope documentation for a platform delivering services in Irish. Speech-to-speech functionality in Irish It must also support the ongoing development of technical specifications for speech-to-speech functionality in Irish for generative AI products. Furthermore, it must also make efforts to maintain Irish language AI development a topic of industry discussion through the publication of its results, and establishing an authoritative source for ranking the Irish language capabilities of different AI systems. Údarás na Gaeltachta said: 'The contractor must support discussions with leading AI companies (including Anthropic, Mistral, and others) to advocate for Irish language service development. '[And support] developing a backlog of Irish language AI implementation opportunities.' It added that the contract, worth an estimated €40,000, would be valid for 18 months. Debate on the future of AI in Ireland has come to the fore in recent months, with an oireachtas committee established in this Dáil for the first time. Its remit is to make recommendations on Ireland's approach to the development, deployment, regulation, and ethical considerations of AI. Last week, it heard that software engineers, junior lawyers, and customer service roles will be among the first in Ireland to be affected by job losses to artificial intelligence. 'We cannot predict the exact pace, scale, or whether new jobs will replace those lost,' AI Advisory Council chairwoman Patricia Scanlon said. Údarás na Gaeltachta has been contacted for comment. Read More Government criticised for not doing more to roll out AI across civil service
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Major €4.5m investment aims to secure the future of Business Park in Donegal Gaeltacht
The investment, by Údarás na Gaeltachta, aim to ensure the business park meets the highest standards to attract new businesses and support the 728 people currently employed there. Some of the current infrastructure has been in place for over 30 years and is reaching the end of its lifespan. The upgrade works will include a complete renovation of the Business Park's roads with new surfacing, line-marking and new signage. A new 4km water main network will be installed with new hydrants and valves to provide improved water services. Comprehensive upgrades will be made to footpaths and lighting columns as well as complete replacement of boundary fencing. A new drainage system will be implemented with manholes, service pipes and drainage channels, and comprehensive improvements will be made to signage and parking areas throughout the Business Park. The works will be completed in four phases over an 18-month period between 2025 and 2027. Micheal Mac Giolla Easbuig, Regional Manager of Údarás na Gaeltachta in Donegal, welcomed the major investment. "Gaoth Dobhair Business Park has survived every challenge it has faced since the sixties. 'This investment will help it adapt to the needs of this era and the future, ensuring it will survive and thrive in the years ahead,' said Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig. ADVERTISEMENT This investment is essential to ensure that safe continuous services are provided, to meet health and safety requirements, and to keep the business park competitive for new investment. As well as being an important employment hub, Gaoth Dobhair Business Park serves the diverse needs of the community. It houses a Public Library and Gallery (Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair) as well as a Créche and Naíonra, Community Playground, County Council Fire Service, Garda Station, Donegal Education and Training Board Training Centre, Health Service Executive Service Centre and various other facilities and services. Gaoth Dobhair Business Park was established in 1965 when five businessmen and an official from the Department of the Gaeltacht came together to create an Industrial Estate to put an end to the emigration that was damaging the Gaeltacht community. This was the second rural Industrial Estate to be planned in the Republic of Ireland. The first company, Amblers Limited, opened in 1968, and by 1970 there were 220 people employed on the Estate. At the peak of employment in 1998, 1,338 employees were working there.
