PLANS to create 13 new jobs in Kilcar were in serious doubt this week following news the company involved has indicated it may not now go ahead with the project.

A Co Westmeath firm, FF Polymers, was to set up a plastic injection moulding plant at the Ballymoon Industrial Estate and had been approved for funding earlier this year.

However, the move is now in serious doubt. Speaking to the Donegal News on Tuesday, Mr Cathal MacSuibhne, Regional Manager of Údaras na Gaeltachta said the company had indicated that it has had a 'change of mind' about setting up in Kilcar but negotiations were still ongoing.

"We have left it with them for a week. We haven't given up hope yet but it doesn't look good. The company had been approved to set up 13 jobs in Kilcar," Mr MacSuibhne said.

The news has been described as 'very disappointing' by the Secretary of Kilcar Parish Council. Mr John Campbell, has called on Údaras to do everything possible to try and bring the project to fruition but accepted it didn't look good. Mr Campbell said in light of this it was vital that plans to create 100 jobs at a call centre in Kilcar village were 'fast tracked'.

"13 jobs might not seem that much in some places but here in Kilcar they're vital. In fairness to Údaras they put a very attractive package in place and have been doing all they could to bring this project to fruition," he said.

"The news is very disappointing but we're around long enough to know these things happen and we must all now redouble our efforts to find alternative investors. Údaras must do all it can now to bring the 100 jobs planned for the call centre in Kilcar on steam as soon as possible," Mr Campbell added.

Mr MacSuibhne said they were hopeful some of the call centre jobs would come on stream before the middle of this year.