Up to 180 jobs for Irish language speakers are to be created in European Union institutions over the next five years.

A recruitment campaign for the first 62 translator positions has already been launched.

The jobs will be based at institutions in Brussels and Luxembourg.

It comes after Irish was recognised as an official and working language of the EU back in 2007.

In December 2015, the European Council adopted a regulation aimed at ending the derogation of the language by the end of 2021.

EU institutions are now preparing to gradually provide Irish language services at the same level as those provided for the other official languages.

The announcement of the positions was made at a briefing in Dublin attended by Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Sean Kyne.

"Often, school students have felt there were only very limited careers arising out of Irish language studies," he said.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to pursue a rewarding international career and to raise the profile of our national language across Europe", he added.

Applications can be made via the recruitment website here.