Lack of funding results in closure of Aran Islands Co-op

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A co-op which provides essential services on the Aran Islands has been forced to close for a month due to a lack of funding.
The committee of Comharchumann Inis Mór decided to close for the month of August in a bid to safeguard the jobs and services provided by the company.
The co-op, which is funded by Udarás na Gaeltachta, has had its funding cut by up to 40percent over the last five years.
However, spokesperson Cathy Ní Ghoill says Udarás is not to blame, as it has also had to deal with cuts to funding.
She says the comharcumman’s three full-time staff members have taken three pay cuts in a bid to keep the company running debt-free.
Meanwhile, Galway West TD Eamon O’Cuív says the burden of development is falling on the co-ops.
Deputy O’Cuív says the state must ringfence money for the co-ops as a vital part of the development of gaeltacht areas.