Press

A €1.2m initiative from TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta to Strengthen Irish-Language Media Development

03.12.25

A new strategic partnership between TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta (ÚnaG) was launched today at TG4, where the two organisations will jointly invest over €1.2m per year between now and the end of 2028, to support the development and training of the independent production sector.
 
As part of this investment, strategic development and training programmes will be made available to those developing their careers in the media and to Irish Language production companies providing creative content in the media sector. The initiative will enhance skills, qualifications and competitiveness of production companies. A Programme Manager will be appointed to oversee the training and development programmes, in collaboration with the Údarás na Gaeltachta and TG4.
 
Speaking at the event, Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General of TG4, said: “Empowering and cultivating creativity is at the heart of TG4’s strategy, and the independent production sector is central to delivering that vision. This new partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta will allow us to focus on the growth and development of the Irish-language sector, career training, and future-focused skills development on a strategic, long-term basis. This additional funding will support policies that empower Irish-language creative talent, upcoming talent, and development opportunities for companies operating through Irish.”
 
Also speaking at the event, Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “The Gaeltacht’s audiovisual sector has both linguistic and economic importance. This partnership will accelerate and deepen the development of a talent pipeline and the strengthening of capacity among content creators and programme producers working through the Irish language. It will consolidate the potential of Irish as a core development resource for the sector, material that will be reflected through programmes and other digital content supplied to the visual media sector and markets, whether on television, as films, on the internet or via digital media.”
 
TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta launched a pilot ‘Work Experience and Training Scheme’ in 2019, which was in place until 2025. The new joint venture builds on the experience gained from that scheme.
 
That scheme focused on supporting Gaeltacht / Irish-language companies, with the aim of cultivating new talent, developing skills and providing practical work experience for people starting out in the Irish-language audiovisual and digital-media sector. As part of this, participants achieved an academic qualification (Level 8 accredited) under the guidance of the Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
 
This new partnership arises from comprehensive research carried out by TG4 and ÚnaG. As part of this research, consultations were held with companies and with the audiovisual sector. The findings of the research indicated a need for further investment to stimulate training and development in the Irish-language media sector, to support the development and of companies, and to ensure better coordination among all stakeholders.
 
This initiative will also develop a schools programmes with the aim of informing students about the employment opportunities available within the Irish language sector and to help them understand the career paths open to them in the creative industries.