Helping Uist parents back into work

A project providing training opportunities and childcare provision for parents, led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, has received £60,000 from the Scottish Government.  

Funding for the local authority, and five others across Scotland, is part of the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, which sets out steps being taken to strengthen communities facing depopulation.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said:

“Uist has a lot to offer young families, but more needs to be done to ensure people can make their livelihoods on the islands. Working in partnership with local businesses and organisations, this project will help parents to secure work and stay in the area – supporting the islands to sustain the population they need to thrive into the future.

“It will support parents to access vital training and childcare - helping them back into work, ensuring that skills gaps on the islands are filled and putting more money in their pockets.

“Eradicating child poverty is the defining mission of this government and we know well-paid work can be an effective route out of poverty. This support will be targeted to those who are more likely to experience barriers to finding work, helping lift families out of poverty while also boosting the local economy.”

Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said:

“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar welcomes the award of funding through the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Fund. This money will help support the Comhairle’s ongoing work to encourage people to live, work and learn in Uist.

“There are many factors that contribute to depopulation, I am pleased that Ms Stewart has taken the time to sit down with Comhairle representatives to discuss these factors and hope that this will help inform future funding and policy decisions.”

Background

According to Census data, between 2011 to 2022 the population of Uist fell by 4%. The population aged 16 to 64 fell by 11% in this period.

This £60,000 funding for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is part of £360,000 for six local authorities through the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Fund. Other local authorities in receipt of this funding will be announced in due course.

The Addressing Depopulation Fund was announced in February as part of the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Action Plan.

A’ cuideachadh phàrantan Uibhisteach a bhith a’ tilleadh a dh’obair 

A’ dèiligeadh ri bochdainn is a’ toirt taic do theaghlaichean a bhith a’ fuireach is ag obair san sgìre.

Tha pròiseact fo stiùir Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, a bhios a’ toirt chothroman trèanaidh is cùram-chloinne do phàrantan, air £60,000 fhaighinn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba.

Tha maoineachadh don ùghdarras ionadail, is còig eile air feadh Alba, na phàirt den Phlana Ghnìomh aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba gus Dèiligeadh ri Call-sluaigh – anns a bheil ceumannan air am mìneachadh gus coimhearsnachdan a neartachadh a tha fo chunnart a bhith a’ call sluagh.

Thuirt am Ministear airson Cho-ionannachd Kaukab Stiùbhart:

“Gheibh teaghlaichean òga an t-uabhas bho bhith a’ fuireach ann an Uibhist, ach feumar tuilleadh a dhèanamh gus a bhith cinnteach gun urrainn do dhaoine am beòshlaint a chosnadh anns na h-eileanan. Le bhith ag obair ann an com-pàirt le gnìomhachasan is buidhnean ionadail, bidh am pròiseact seo a’ cuideachadh phàrantan le bhith a’ faighinn obair is a bhith a’ fuireach anns an sgìre – rud a chuireas taic ris an t-sluagh a tha a dhìth gus a bhith soirbheachail san àm ri teachd.

“Bheir seo taic do phàrantan cothrom fhaighinn air trèanadh agus cùram-chloinne riatanach – rud a bhios na chuideachadh dhaibh airson tilleadh a dh’obair is a nì cinnteach gu bheil beàrnan sgilean nan eilean air an lìonadh is gu bheil barrachd airgid anns na sporain aca.

“’S e a bhith a’ cur às do bhochdainn chloinne prìomh adhbhar an riaghaltais seo is tha fios againn gur e obair le deagh phàigheadh aon dòigh èifeachdach san urrainn do dhaoine an cùl a chur ri bochdainn. Bidh an taic seo ag amas orrasan a tha nas dualtaich a bhith a’ fulang chnapan-starra ann a bhith a’ sireadh obair, rud a chuidicheas ann a bhith a’ togail theaghlaichean a-mach à bochdainn is aig an aon àm tha e a’ cur ris an eaconamaidh ionadail.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Pòl Steele, Ceannard Comhairle nan Eilean Siar:

“Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a’ cur fàilte air a’ mhaoineachadh seo a chaidh a bhuileachadh tro Mhaoin Riaghaltas na h-Alba gus Dèiligeadh ri Call-sluaigh. Cuidichidh an t-airgead seo leis an obair a tha a’ Chomhairle a’ dèanamh gus daoine a bhrosnachadh a bhith a’ fuireach, ag obair is ag ionnsachadh ann an Uibhist.

“’S iomadach adhbhar a tha air cùlaibh call-sluaigh, tha mi toilichte gu bheil a’ BhUas. Stiùbhart air an ùine a chur seachad a’ coinneachadh ri riochdairean na Comhairle gus bruidhinn air na h-adhbharan seo agus tha mi an dòchas gun cuidich seo le roghainnean a thaobh maoineachadh is phoileasaidhean san àm ri teachd.”

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

A rèir a’ Chunntais-shluaigh, eadar 2011 agus 2022 chaill Uibhist 4% de shluagh. Anns an ùine sin chaillear 11% den t-sluagh eadar 16 agus 64.

Tha am maoineachadh seo de £60,000 airson Comhairle nan Eilean Siar na phàirt de £360,000 a gheibh sia ùghdarrasan ionadail tro Mhaoin Riaghaltas na h-Alba gus Dèiligeadh ri Call-sluaigh. Bidh na h-ùghdarrasan ionadail eile a gheibh taic bhon mhaoin seo air an ainmeachadh an ceann ùine.

Chaidh a’ Mhaoin gus Dèiligeadh ri Call-sluaigh a chur an cèill sa Ghearran mar phàirt den Phlana Ghnìomh gus Dèiligeadh ri Call-sluaigh aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba.