A decrease in Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs in Donegal has been described as “disappointing” by Donegal TD and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance, Deputy Pearse Doherty.
There was an increase in the number of employees in Údarás client companies in the majority of Gaeltacht counties with only Donegal marking a significant decrease according to the organisation’s End of Year Statement.
Deputy Doherty said, “Although it is great to see an increase in the number of Údarás jobs nationally, it is disappointing to see that Donegal bucks the trend.
“Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies had a total of 2,647 employees in Donegal by the end of 2024, a net reduction of 93 jobs from the previous year.
“And this means that Donegal is the only county to see a significant decrease in the number of jobs.
“That’s a net reduction of 4 per cent in the number of employees in Údarás na Gaeltachta companies in Donegal since the end of 2022.
“These figures are concerning as job growth in Donegal has been shown to be particularly challenging given the remoteness and lack of government investment in the county.
“Government now needs to address this with a multi-department approach to the issue and Údarás needs to refocus its efforts on creating jobs in Donegal.
“Údarás has shown that it can be successful in attracting jobs to Donegal but it’s clear that it needs support. Donegal needs investment in basic infrastructure such as water, sewage and road transport; it also needs investment to get houses built.
“Údarás has stated that a number of enterprise projects have been approved which will create additional employment in Donegal Gaeltacht areas in the future.
“I very much hope that this will be the case and that the downturn in the county can be addressed in the near future.”
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