Community Employment cuts ‘will kill off schemes’
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Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment, community and local government, Brian Stanley TD, has condemned the government for its “attack” on Community Employment Schemes.
Speaking after a meeting with CE supervisors, Deputy Stanley said “the savage cuts by the government will make it impossible for schemes to function. Laois and Offaly have 34 schemes with an average of 20 employees in each scheme.
“The cut of 66% to the Material and Training Allowance will make many CE Schemes unviable. They depend on this money to pay for training, insurance, rent, equipment and tools, ESB and telephone bills.”
He added “training money is vital to enable participants make the transition from unemployment to employment. The cut will remove this opportunity. CE Schemes are providing vital services in local communities such as Meals-on-Wheels, childcare and after-school projects.”
Stanley concluded “I have raised this important issue twice in the past week in the Dáil and I met with CE supervisors today (Tuesday) who have expressed their legitimate concerns.
“While the minister said she will review the cuts to the schemes, I am demanding that no cuts take place pending the outcome of this review. I will continue to press for a reversal of these cuts,” he said.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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