MEITHEAL FORBARTHA NA Gaeltachta Teoranta (MFG) has ceased trading today, resulting in the loss of 130 jobs.

Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan said the board of MFG informed him of its decision earlier today.

The board said it had no option but to close down following an analysis of the firm’s financial situation.

MFG looked after community development in Gaeltacht areas through various schemes and projects, including the Rural Development Programme. It channelled EU and Government funding to businesses in Cork, Galway, Mayo, Meath, Donegal, Kerry and Waterford to support an improved standard of living in the areas.

Department officials and Pobal, a not-for-profit government intermediary, are now working to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to technical issues in relation to finalising funding and payments, Hogan said.

He added that the department is anxious to find ways to ensure that Gaeltacht residents do not lose services. Alternative methods for the delivery of these services will be explored “as a matter of urgency”.

RTÉ reports that the closure of the company, which was founded in 1991, will mean the loss of 130 jobs across nine Gaeltacht areas.

According to Highland Radio, staff were told to go home yesterday evening and not to return to work today. The local radio station also reported that some services run by MFG, including school transport, were not operating today.