Údarás na Gaeltachta

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Údarás na Gaeltachta (English: The Gaeltacht Authority [1]) refers to a regional state agency which is responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of nominally Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) regions of the Republic of Ireland. Its stated purpose is to strengthen the Gaeltacht communities, to increase the quality of life of its community members and facilitate the preservation and extension of the Irish language as the principal language of the region. ÚnaG is run by elected officials. Some of these cannot speak Irish^{[citation needed]} as the Gaeltacht boundaries have not changed since the 1950's, during which time many Gaeltachtaí have seen their Irish-speaking populations shrink.

It was originally established in 1980 under the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979, superseding its predecessor Gaeltarra Éireann which had been established in 1957 under the Gaeltacht Industries Act of the same year.

It has a strong role in attracting enterprise into Gaeltacht areas, many of which are isolated and economically disadvantaged. The European Union grant-aid is often provided to indigenous startup companies. They are also involved in the setting up of community co-operatives and employment schemes.

A unique feature of Údarás na Gaeltachta is that seventeen members of its 20-member board are directly elected from constituencies in Gaeltacht areas. This is in contrast to every other state-sponsored body in Ireland, where the board members are appointed directly by the relevant Minister with the result that most are political party members.

The current chairman of Údarás na Gaeltachta is Liam Ó Cuinneagáin from Glencolmcille who is director of the Oideas Gael cultural centre and language school there.

The head office of the Údarás is in Furbo, County Galway, with regional offices in Dingle, Co. Kerry; Ballymakeera, Co. Cork; Derrybeg, Co. Donegal; and Belmullet, Co. Mayo.