development in north-west Donegal, with the stated objective of supporting the creation of 300 new jobs and investing €4.7 million in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park over a period (2015–2017). For the past year and a half, an tÚdarás has placed specific emphasis on this area and as a result: 449 new jobs have been approved in new projects coming on over the next few years; three new start-ups have been established in the Áislann on the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park; there are new investments planned or currently being undertaken by companies such as Arán Ard Teo in Ard an Rátha; Euroflex Teo and Bia Beo Natasha Teo in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park; and Cora Tine Teo in An Fál Carrach; a further €440,000 is being invested by an tÚdarás in Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, resulting in the provision of 10 new enterprise units for new projects and the completion of works on the adjacent car park; Údarás facilitated 10 site visits to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park by entrepreneurs seeking to establish new businesses. Negotiations are ongoing in relation to some of these business enquiries; promotional and marketing material have been developed and a PR campaign is being initiated to raise the profile of the Donegal area as a suitable location for business; manufacturing space in the former Largo Foods premises is being modified to provide further production capacity for companies Cóin agus Abhlanna Teo, Kombucha Éireann Teo and Bia Beo Natasha Teo; an tÚdarás is working with the local chamber of commerce, Cumann Tráchtála agus Tionscal Ghaoth Dobhair, on a number of projects that aim to promote the local economy, including the preparation of a tourism development plan for the area. Other Developments Companies in other parts of the Donegal Gaeltacht continued to develop throughout the year and increased their production capability, these include Snáth Dhún na nGall and Cuan
A total of 38 new jobs were created in the Mayo Gaeltacht in 2015. There were 665 full-time equivalent jobs in Údarás client companies in the Mayo Gaeltacht at the end of the year, a net loss of 20 jobs on the previous year. New jobs were created in a number of companies, including Innealtóireacht Cathal Shevlin Teo and the technology-based company, Crannchur Cliste Teo. Jobs were lost during the year in some companies, and they include Crann Iorrais Teo and Selc Éireann Teo. Two new enterprises were established during the year on the island of Acaill and now employ four people. These are Salann Mara Acla Teo, suppliers of sea salt products and Táirgí Acla Teo which brews beer products. Support was approved during the year for new projects that will come on-stream in the Mayo Gaeltacht in the near future. It is expected that these enterprises will generate a total investment of €2.86 million and create 30 new jobs when fully operational. A new welding training centre in Béal an Mhuirthead Last year, one of Údarás’ premises on its industrial estate in Béal an Mhuirthead was redeveloped as a welding training centre, with funding from Údarás and Fiontar Chomhraic Teo. An investment of €262,342 was made to renovate the building to the standard required and install the necessary equipment. Muintearas Teo are responsible for managing the training centre. MSLETB Training Centre in Sligo/Ballina ran the first welding course there last November and another course will start in May 2016. This centre was developed in response to demand from local employers for qualified welders. Tourism Projects A total investment of €183,500 was made in a cultural tourism project in Acaill with support from an tÚdarás, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Mayo County Council and Fáilte Éireann. As a result of this investment, a new range of tourism products will be provided in Acaill in 2016 under the auspices of Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla Teo. Comharchumann Ionad Deirbhile in An Eachléim is also involved with this project, and both organisations are developing a joint tourism venture based on the culture and heritage of the Mayo Gaeltacht.