Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
249. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a detailed charter of Údarás na Gaeltachta in terms of its mission statement, its governance structure, and the responsibilities and KPIs to which it is tasked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20521/24]
View answerÚdarás na Gaeltachta's Strategic Plan 2021-2025, as agreed by the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and submitted to my Department, sets out the organisation’s mission statement as follows:
"To foster a sustainable Gaeltacht community where Irish is the main language, and where employment, society and culture make a world-class quality of life available."
As a statutory body Údarás na Gaeltachta is subject to the provisions of all relevant legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, 2016. Its board members are appointed by the Minister in accordance with the provisions of Acht na Gaeltachta 2012. There are regular meetings of the board which considers and approves investment proposals and initiatives promoting and sustaining the use of the Irish language. The Board also has oversight of the governance and financial structures in place in the organisation and receives regular reports to that end. These structures include the following:
• The organisation's Audit and Risk Committee, comprising four board members and one external member, reports on a regular basis to the board.
• An Internal Audit Service is provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta which operates in accordance with the Framework Code of Best Practice set out in the Code of Practice on the Governance of State Bodies.
• Údarás is also subject to an annual statutory audit performed by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
• The Minister also receives an annual letter from the Chairperson of the Board setting out compliance with various legislative and governance requirements.
Further details regarding the governance structure are detailed in the organisation’s Annual Reports which are laid before the Houses.
From an oversight perspective, regular monitoring meetings are held between senior members of my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta throughout the year to review inter alia the KPI’s detailed in the Performance Delivery Agreement between the Department and Údarás.
The following are the primary key performance indicators agreed with my Department for 2024 across various sectors:
Enterprise and Employment
With regards to key performance indicators in Enterprise and Employment, Údarás na Gaeltachta has a target of having created 400 jobs by the end of 2024 and to support 8,500 jobs in its client-companies.
gteic Digital Hubs
By the end of 2024, Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to have a total of 32 Digital Hubs opened and aims to have an overall occupancy rate of 65% across these hubs.
Community Development
Údarás na Gaeltachta has outlined a target of funding 33 organisations throughout 2024.
Early Education
Údarás na Gaeltachta has set a target of supporting 132 early education services with 2,000 children attending same.
Language Planning Process
Along with having 28 language plans in the implementation phase by the end of 2024, Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to have an additional Language Plan submitted to the Department in 2024 and to have 3 Gaeltacht Service Town plans in a preparatory phase.
