Waterford Gaeltacht jobs grew by 1 per cent in 2025
Fifteen new Údarás na Gaeltachta client jobs were created in Waterford Gaeltacht in 2025. An Rinn is located a short distance outside Dungarvan
Fifteen new Údarás na Gaeltachta client jobs were created in Waterford Gaeltacht in 2025, according to the organisation's annual report which has just been published.
On Friday, February 6, the regional development agency for the Gaeltacht released the report in which it highlighted a year of sustained growth, strategic investment and continued progress in strengthening enterprise, community and the Irish language across Gaeltacht regions.
A spokesperson said the figures showed 15 new jobs were created in the Waterford Gaeltacht in 2025, representing a 1 per cent increase on 2024, bringing the total number of people employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in the Waterford Gaeltacht to 278.
The spokesperson also said that on October 31, last year, there were four vacancies available with client companies, offering opportunities for Waterford jobseekers.
In terms of national growth 681 new jobs were created in Gaeltacht areas across the country last year with 9,716 people employed in Údarás client companies across seven counties.
The report also revealed sales exceeded €1 billion for the second consecutive year with €697 million generated in exports and €570m in direct expenditure.
It also reported that €38.1 million was secured under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) and over €18 million investment approved for Gaeltacht capital projects.
In addition 28 language plans were supported with €3.9 million in funding and 585 full-time equivalent jobs in social enterprises while 436 people were employed across 29 gteic digital hubs.
A further €1.4 million was invested in training and skills development and Enterprise and Employment Client companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta achieved sales of over €1 billion for the second year in succession, which the spokesperson said underlined the resilience and international competitiveness of Gaeltacht-based enterprise.
Exports reached €697 million, representing 60 per cent of total sales and demonstrated the global reach of businesses operating from Gaeltacht communities.
At the end of the year there were also 214 vacancies which the spokesperson said reflected continued demand for skilled talent.
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.
The gteic network expanded to 29 hubs, supporting 436 employees and provided 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.
In terms of community development €7.375 million was allocated to support 33 community development organisations across the Gaeltacht in 2025 and research confirmed the strong economic role of social enterprises, which contributed €21.53 million annually and supported 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.
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 end, representing a combined workforce of 1,139 employees. The scheme supports increased use of Irish in the workplace and strengthens the integration of language and enterprise.
A comprehensive review of the language planning process was published by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with continued funding confirmed to ensure stability and refinement of the framework through to 2027.
Investment of €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.
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," said the spokesperson. The GAIRM graduate programme, delivered in partnership with Atlantic Technological University, continued to combine professional placements with a Level 9 postgraduate qualification and 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.
The 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 organization'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," he said.
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," he said.
"We're building a sustainable future where enterprise growth and language vitality go hand in hand," he added.
Meanwhile, the 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," she said.
"We support entrepreneurs embracing the challenge to create something meaningful of their own, creating jobs and new opportunities," she added.
"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.”
