Údarás na Gaeltachta is developing plans for the delivery of affordable housing in An Cheathrú Rua in Connemara.
Údarás has approved a housing initiative, backed by €250,000 in funding, to develop and research a model of affordable housing for Irish speakers on Údarás lands in Gaeltacht areas.
Three sites have currently been chosen for this initiative; An Rinn, Co. Waterford, An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway and Gaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal, which are within current settlements and close to public services.
Expressions of interest are now being sought from local authorities, housing organisations and other relevant organisation to partner in developing this housing model.
Any development will draw on existing funding mechanisms in place under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ programme.
Any criteria developed for buyers through this work will build on the existing affordable housing eligibility criteria that are currently in place but will also include strong language criteria.
The board of Údarás na Gaeltachta has agreed that housing developed on Údarás sites will be for Irish speakers.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Chairperson, Mary Uí Chadhain, said that the Údarás housing initiative is at the core of the work of the organisation to support and develop sustainable communities where Irish is the daily spoken language.
“The housing crisis nationally presents a significant challenge to the next generation of Irish speakers who seek to live in Gaeltacht areas and as such, is a threat to the continued use of the language as a living language in years to come.”
Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta said, “Existing employment opportunities in Gaeltacht areas cannot be filled due to the lack of housing.”
“It is also a barrier to those from the Gaeltacht, those with family connections in the Gaeltacht and to Irish speakers who want to live where Irish is the community language.”
“This Affordable Housing Initiative marks the first step in finding solutions to that challenge and to build on the successful and ongoing work of Údarás na Gaeltachta to support employment and community development in Gaeltacht areas.”
A dedicated email address has been established, tithiocht@udaras.ie, for anyone who would like to receive further information on this issue or regarding the three sites that have been identified at this stage of the project.
