Údarás statistics highlight jobs rise in Múscraí

OVER 670 people held full-time jobs in Údarás na Gaeltachta’s client companies in Cork’s Gaeltacht’s areas at the end of 2016 – more than any year since 2008.

According to Údaras’ end of year review, this rise was driven by the Múscraí Gaeltacht parishes of Baile Bhuirne, Cill na Martra, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh and Baile Mhic Íre, who all enjoyed growth in employment.

In total, 73 new jobs were created in Cork’s Gaeltacht regions. The Cork region experienced the lowest number of job losses (12) of any Gaeltacht area in the country, meaning Cork’s Gaeltachtaí gained 61 jobs last year.

That figure was only bettered in Galway (62), though its Gaeltachtaí encompass a far greater area and population than Cork’s.

Údarás na Gaeltachta Chairperson Steve Ó Cúláin told The Corkman that the start-up of two new companies in Múscraí last year, alongside employment growth at companies like Táirgí Cáise Buabhall Mhaigh Chromtha (Macroom Buffalo Cheese Products) and Folláin, contributed to the employment rise in the west Cork Gaeltacht.

Since 2006, Cork’s Gaeltachts have gained nine full-time jobs. Outside of Galway, it’s the only region that has gained employment over the last ten years.

Dónal Ó Liatháin of the Údarás’ off in Baile Mhic Íre said the area has reaped the advantages of its location, with Killarney, Macroom and Cork city all within a reasonable distance of Múscraí.

“The area does have an advantage in that regard, but a lot of good work has gone into these increases; a lot of proposed projects were accepted in the last two years, and that has certainly aided the rise in employment in Múscraí.

“It’s nice to see that while much of the increase was driven by Baile Bhuirne and Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, we’ve also seen rises in Cill na Martra and Baile Mhic Íre,” he added.

Mr Ó Liatháin also praised what he described as ‘a strong entrepreneurial tradition’ in Múscraí, and pointed out that many companies in the area are flourishing.

“We’re seeing a wide range of companies across the sectors, particularly business services, engineering and food, and they’re proving successful.

“Two new companies that opened in 2016 have boosted the employment figures by 15 or so, and many of the food businesses in recent years have scooped a range of awards for their products, expanded their workforce and proved excellent employers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Údarás has told The Corkman that Údarás na Gaeltachta hopes a language plan for Múscraí ‘will be ready for submission to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the middle of this year.’

Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí Teo is currently preparing the language plan for the Múscraí Language Planning Area (LPA).