Údarás na Gaeltachta has called on the Government to lift restrictions which is preventing the agency from offering State support to companies in Irish-speaking areas.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, the authority's chief executive Pádraig Ó hAoláin said that a directive issued by the Department of Finance restricting spending by State agencies earlier this year, meant that it could not proceed with projects which could lead to the creation of up to 250 new jobs over the next two to three years.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, which is the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht, urged the Government to lift the restrictions in place in order to boost job creation, warning that if it fails to do so, the agency will be unable to assist firms looking to expand their business.
"Despite the doom and gloom there are investors out there, there are companies who want to expand," said Mr Ó hAoláin. He added that the agency is currently speaking with a number of firms about new opportunities in the area.