Government's Restrictions On Gaeltacht Criticised

Condemnation from an opposition party has ignited after the Gaeltacht agency revealed Government restrictions have prevented it from employing over 200 people.

Údarás na Gaeltachta said today that Government restrictions prevent it from signing-off on job creation projects.

The Gaeltacht agency has been prevented from spending money on new projects following a directive issued by the Department of Finance earlier this year.

Fine Gael's Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Spokesman, Michael Ring, has criticised the policy, and the lack of action by Minister Mary Coughlan for her "continuing silence on the issue".

Mr Ring said the Minister must lift the funding restrictions on Údarás so that it is treated the same as the other job creation State Agencies, such as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.

"It must be remembered that Údarás is not looking for extra money; it can deliver these jobs within its existing budget. They are, however, subject to restrictions on capital expenditure introduced in recent times.

"Údarás must be allowed to operate on a level playing field and desperately needed jobs mustn't be let go to waste.

"I am shocked that the Enterprise Minister had no response to make when I raised this in the Dáil."

The Fine Gael spokesman said whatever efforts the Government was making, they are either invisible or ineffective. He further accused the Minister of shirking her primary responsibilities.

(DW/JM)