Údarás na Gaeltachta have announced the findings of research into the social economy of the Gaeltacht reveals that the Social enterprise sector generates a gross value of over €21 million.
The research, undertaken in partnership with Queen's University Belfast as part of the EmpowerUs Transition Coastal Lab, revealed that the social enterprise sector in the Gaeltacht generates a Gross Value Added of approximately €21.53 million.
This supports 585 Full-Time Equivalent jobs and contributes €15.96 million in salaries per annum.
The study focused on developing the social economy as a means of resisting external blue growth pressures and retaining investment, jobs, and supply chains within local Gaeltacht communities.
As part of the research, social entrepreneurs and policy managers from the Gaeltacht visited social enterprises in the Scottish Highlands and islands, learning about community-owned energy projects, development trusts, and asset transfer legislation.
The delegation also visited coastal social enterprises in Donegal, examining innovative uses of heritage assets like lighthouses for community businesses.
In a statement, Údarás na Gaeltachta is implementing key recommendations from the research, including: Developing a learning portal with resources specific to coastal Gaeltacht economies, supporting next-generation entrepreneurs through apprenticeships and educational partnerships, Advocating for regulatory innovation, including community asset transfer legislation, Investing in applied research on emerging opportunities in technology, climate change, and growth sectors and Building a stronger network of social enterprises across the wider Gaeltacht.
