The government has today announced the appointment of five new members of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, two of whom are from Galway.
Máire Áine Uí Ailín is a Placement Officer in the University of Galway.She is responsible for the administration of the Work Placement Register for students who are undertaking a BA with Irish and students who are studying Law with Irish.
Originally from Ceantar na nOileán, one of the islands in southwestern Connemara, Máire now lives in An Ceathrú Rua.
The other board member from Galway appointed this week is Sonya Uí Shíoda, who lives in Maigh Cuilinn.
She is the former Head of Corporate Services and former Planning, Policy and EU Affairs Manager for Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan confirmed that they have appointed five new ordinary members to Údarás na Gaeltachta until the end of 2024.
The other three board members appointed by the Minister are Caitlín Ní Bhroin (Donegal), Micheál Ó Drisleáin (Waterford), and Seán Ó Cuirreáin (Donegal).
The Minister also announced the extension of the term of Mary Uí Chadhain as Chair of the board until the end of this year, at which point she will leave her position as Chairperson but will continue to act as an ordinary member until the end of 2024.
The Department has been informed by board member, Debra Ní Shúilleabháin, that she will be resigning from the board with immediate effect.
As a result, there will be one vacancy on the board in the period up to the end of the year when the new Chairperson of the organisation will be announced.
Minister Martin said, “We are pleased to announce these appointments and I am sure the new members of Údaras na Gaeltachta will undertake their work with energy and commitment.”
“An tÚdarás is an organisation that plays a central role in the life of the Gaeltacht community and the new members who we have announced today will contribute to that into the future.”
Minister of State O’Donovan added, “There are, and always will be, a variety of challenges old and new facing Údarás na Gaeltachta, but the competence, experience and wide range of skills possessed by these new members will greatly benefit the organisation.”
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, Údarás na Gaeltachta has a board of twelve members. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media appoints seven of the members, including the Chairperson.
As for the other five, the local authorities which have Gaeltacht areas in their jurisdictions nominate those members to the Minister for appointment.
Five new board members of Údarás na Gaeltachta were appointed by local authorities earlier this year, with Cllr Padraig Mac an Iomaire nominated by Galway County Council.
