Mayo seeks to revitalise Gaeltacht areas with new vacant homes coordinator

Mayo County Council has announced a new opportunity for those passionate about housing, community development, and the Irish language, as applications open for the newly created position of Gaeltacht Vacant Homes Co-ordinator.

The role, established under the national “Housing for All – Pathway to Addressing Vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock” initiative, aims to tackle the persistent issue of vacant homes in Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions. These Irish-speaking areas currently face a higher rate of empty homes—11% compared to the national average of 8%—posing unique challenges for community sustainability and language preservation.

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A Strategic Role in Community Revitalisation

The Gaeltacht Vacant Homes Co-ordinator will work in close partnership with local communities, Vacant Homes Officers, and stakeholders across seven local authorities: Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, and Meath. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and assessing vacant properties, building relationships with property owners, and promoting schemes such as the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

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A key aspect of the role involves supporting the culturally sensitive redevelopment of properties to meet the needs of Irish-speaking families and broader community interests. The Co-ordinator will also monitor progress, report on community impact, and ensure that language sustainability remains at the heart of regeneration efforts.

Key Responsibilities Include:

1. Identifying and assessing vacant properties in Gaeltacht areas using both local knowledge and national data.
2. Engaging with property owners and promoting refurbishment grants and schemes.
3. Supporting redevelopment projects that are sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of the community.
4. Collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders to align efforts with wider regeneration plans.
5. Monitoring and reporting on progress, community impact, and the sustainability of the Irish language.
6. Representing the initiative in public communications, including appearances on TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Given the focus on Gaeltacht communities, candidates must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the Irish language to perform the role effectively.

Applications for the position of Gaeltacht Vacant Homes Co-ordinator are open until Thursday, June 26th at 4pm. Interested candidates can find more information and application forms at www.mayo.ie/careers.

Mayo County Council has expressed gratitude to Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department for Rural and Community Development for their ongoing support and assistance with this initiative.