Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
248. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the expenditure by Údarás na Gaeltachta in each of the individual Gaeltacht areas from 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024, and the individual expenditure headings to which this spending was allocated within each individual Gaeltacht area, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20520/24]
View answerMy Department provides core Exchequer funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta under three separate headings; current expenditure (pay & pensions); current expenditure (programmes) and capital expenditure. The Department also provides a separate allocation towards the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht. This funding is supplemented by own source income and funding sourced from other external programmes.
The tables below detail the organisation's spending in each Gaeltacht county for the years 2018 to the end of April 2024. These tables are categorised by major expenditure streams. It is not possible to categorise all expenditure by county, in particular expenditure that is not client or building specific such as general training programmes. In such instances, the expenditure is not included. However, this accounts for only a small amount of the overall expenditure. Similarly, current expenditure relating to the administration of the organisation is not included in this analysis. The expenditure is categorised as follows:
Grants and Investments
This includes all grants and shares paid to Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies, including Covid support schemes. Investments derive from applications made by client companies under various support grant and investment schemes made available by Údarás in accordance with State Aid Rules.
Building and Estates
This category incorporates capital spending on new buildings as well as expenditure relating to the repurposing and renovation of existing building stock. It also includes capital investment in industrial estates.
Community Development and Language Planning
This expenditure relates to supports provided to community development organisations working in conjunction with Údarás to deliver targeted investment, based on agreed annual programmes in communities throughout the Gaeltacht. The larger Gaeltacht areas would have a greater number of such organisations.
A key objective of Údarás na Gaeltachta is the delivery of an effective language planning process in 26 Language Planning Areas and 3 Gaeltacht Service Towns. Funding in this regard is provided to designated community organisations to deliver agreed programmes of activities.
Maintenance
This expenditure relates to the utility costs for industrial estates and the ongoing maintenance of industrial buildings, offices and estates in the Gaeltacht.
Expenditure by Údarás na Gaeltachta in each of the individual Gaeltacht areas from 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024
