EIGHTY new, full-time, jobs are to be filled at a number of Gaeltacht companies across Donegal in the New Year.
A range of jobs including software developers, maintenance and quality control technicians as well as accounting and HR roles are available at Udarás na Gaeltachta supported companies in Falcarragh, Gweedore, Dungloe, Ardara, Kilcar and Glencolmcille.
Micheal MacGiolla Easbuig, Regional Manager, explained that they are currently asking people to register with Udarás na Gaeltachta to get information on Gaeltacht jobs during 2022.
Traditionally, Udarás would have hosted a series of annual open days to highlight job opportunities in vibrant Gaeltacht communities across the county.
However, Covid-19 restrictions has put a stop to open days and everything has now moved online.
“We are trying to list all Gaeltacht jobs from our clients and other companies on our website. Our aim is to get as much information as possible to people who are home for Christmas and might be tempted to stay for good,” Mr MacGiolla Easbuig said.
At present, there are vacancies in fifteen Údarás client companies in the Donegal Gaeltacht and 80 jobs in total.
In Ghaoth Dobhair, VHI, Fáisc Miotail Éireann Teo, ProAmpac Teo, OCO Global, Táirgí Snáithín Gloine Teo, Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair Teo and Keelings Knowledge are recruiting.
There are also openings in Gallagher’s Bakery (Ardara), Randox (Dungloe) and Cora Tine Teoranta (Falcarragh); Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo, Bá Dhún na nGall Teo and Oileán Glas Teo in Kilcar as well as Earagail Éisc Teo and Beachóga Dhún na nGall Teo in Glencolmcille.
There are a range of jobs on offer including software developers, maintenance technicians, quality assurance officers, economic analysts, customer care advisors, accounting and HR roles and general operatives.
Total full-time employment in Gaeltacht areas across the country was 7,363 at the end of 2020, with an additional 437 part-time jobs, a net job reduction of 6 per cent (481) in overall employment. Earlier this month, the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved capital funding of €50,000 for Donegal Country Council to develop a gteic digital hub in Malinbeg as part of the continued expansion of the Gaeltacht digital hub network.
The Board approved capital to part fund the complete redevelopment of the Old Málainn Bhig School in order to adapt it to allow for a 110 square metre enterprise space downstairs and a gteic digital hub upstairs.
The gteic digital hub network will provide high-speed broadband facilities in rural Gaeltacht areas to nurture job creation, assist with remote working, facilitate the return of the Gaeltacht Diaspora and to develop a community of hubs, where the unique Gaeltacht culture fosters creativity and innovation.
The gteic at Málainn Bhig will be the ninth gteic to be developed in Donegal.