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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Employment Creation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

151 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made with regard to the examination by his Department of the report of the working group on the creation of employment in the Gaeltacht; if the Government is committed to implementing the recommendations made by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14383/03]

My Department is continuing, in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta, to actively examine the recommendations contained in the report of the working group on the creation of employment in the Gaeltacht to determine how they can be most effectively implemented. For example, the various recommendations in the report relating to enterprise development and employment creation were dis cussed at a recent meeting between officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and its agencies, Údarás na Gaeltachta and my Department. In addition, discussions have taken place with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism regarding the potential that tourism, particularly cultural tourism, can offer in helping to create and sustain employment in the Gaeltacht. The further promotion of these issues will continue to receive priority.

I reiterate that the Irish language is the Gaeltacht's most important natural resource and, indeed, the future development of the Gaeltacht will depend in no small way on the preservation of Irish as a spoken language there. Accordingly, for 2003 I have agreed with Údarás na Gaeltachta that 20% of its capital budget should be allocated for the development of ventures and enterprises that have a clearly defined Irish language focus. This policy complements the report's recommendations in this regard.

Also arising from this report, Údarás na Gaeltachta has formulated an action plan to tackle the significant unemployment problem in the north-west Donegal Gaeltacht. In addition to the appointment of a senior official to the Údarás office in Gweedore, a committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Peter Quinn, has been formed to assist in the implementation of this action plan. This committee held its first meeting on 29 April 2003 in Gweedore.

Question No. 152 answered with Question No. 108.

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