Údarás na Gaeltachta, the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht, has released its Annual Report for 2025, with figures showing 234 jobs created by client companies in the Galway Gaeltacht last year.
These figures represent a a 1% decrease compared to 2024, bringing the total number of people employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in the Galway Gaeltacht to 3,724.
On October 31, 2025, there were 93 vacancies available with client companies, offering opportunities for Galway job seekers.
CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tomás Ó Síocháin, said, “2025 was a landmark year for the Gaeltacht, with employment reaching nearly 10,000 people and our client companies surpassing €1 billion in sales for the second consecutive year.”
“The creation of 681 new jobs, combined with record success in securing competitive research funding, demonstrates the innovation and resilience of Gaeltacht enterprise.”
“Our expansion of the gteic digital hub network and groundbreaking work in Irish-language AI development positions the Gaeltacht at the forefront of technological advancement while strengthening our language and communities.”
“We’re building a sustainable future where enterprise growth and language vitality go hand in hand.”
Enterprise and Employment
Client companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta achieved sales of over €1 billion for the second year in succession, with exports reaching €697 million.
In 2025, 681 new jobs were created, bringing total employment to 9,716 across seven counties, with growth recorded in four regions.
Údarás client companies also secured a record €38.1 million under DTIF Call 7, contributing to over €70 million in competitive research funding across 14 projects.
Digital Innovation and AI
The GTEIC network expanded to 29 hubs, supporting 436 employees and providing 867 workspaces, with two further hubs due to open in 2026.
Progress continued on Irish-language AI development, including publication of a national roadmap and ongoing work with researchers in Trinity College Dublin, UCC, University of Galway and Mozilla Common Voice and Data Collective.
This work includes a speech-to-speech proof-of-concept on publicly available data to help advance speech technology and AI-supported public services in Irish.
Community Development
€7.375 million was allocated to support 33 community development organisations across the Gaeltacht in 2025.
Research confirmed the strong economic role of social enterprises, contributing €21.53 million annually and supporting 585 full-time equivalent jobs.
Housing initiatives also progressed, with a dedicated Housing Adviser appointed and Gaeltacht housing needs formally recognised in the Government’s Housing Plan 2025.
Language Planning
During 2025, 28 Language Plans were actively implemented across 26 Language Planning Areas and two Gaeltacht Service Towns, supported by €3.9 million in funding and 33 Language Planning Officers.
The Irish Language Development Scheme was launched for larger client companies, with 15 companies registered by year’s end, representing a combined workforce of 1,139 employees.
Continued funding was confirmed to ensure stability and refinement of the framework through to 2027.
Tourism and Cultural Investment
€4 million was allocated for new visitor centres on the Aran Islands and Cape Clear Island, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, while the Emigrants’ Memorial Centre in Carna neared completion.
Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark received UNESCO Global Geopark status. The audiovisual sector generated 460 positions and contributed €4 million to the Gaeltacht economy.
Education and Training
An investment of €1.4 million supported training and skills development initiatives in 2025.
There are now 152 participants on the Apprenticeship Scheme, a substantial increase on the previous year. The GAIRM graduate programme, delivered in partnership with Atlantic Technological University, continued to combine professional placements with a Level 9 postgraduate qualification.
The CUMASÚ entrepreneurship programme supported 40 Gaeltacht women entrepreneurs during the year as part of a three-year initiative aimed at supporting up to 150 participants.
Chair of the Board, Siobhán Ní Ghadhra, said, “The fundamental objective at the Údarás is establishing communities where Irish serves as the language of daily life. Behind every statistic in this report lies an individual with deep ties to the Gaeltacht and a commitment to its future prosperity.”
“We support entrepreneurs embracing the challenge to create something meaningful of their own, creating jobs and new opportunities.”
“The growth achieved in 2025 was once again remarkable, and I wish to commend the entire team at Údarás na Gaeltachta for their exceptional contributions.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said, “I congratulate Údarás na Gaeltachta on another successful year.”
“It is a remarkable achievement to have almost 10,000 people employed in the organisation’s client companies and to achieve sales of €1 billion for the second consecutive year.”
“This would not happen without the strategic work that has been done by the organisation over a long period. The organisation also had a central role in the language planning process last year, a role that will be expanded in 2026 with new schemes to be announced to embed language planning into Gaeltacht business affairs.”
