Cuts to Community Employment Schemes Discussed

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe was one of a number of Sinn Féin TDs who this week welcomed a delegation of IMPACT Community Employment Supervisors to the Dáil where they made a Cross-Party presentation to members’ of the Oireachtas.

Speaking after the meeting Deputy Crowe said:

“This week’s briefing was an opportunity for Government TDs in particular to hear, first hand, the detrimental effect that the uncertainty around funding is having on Community Employment Schemes.

“During their informative presentation, the delegation outlined the impact that the Budget cuts have been having on CE participants and on the wider community whom they serve.

“In particular I think that TDs will be left in no doubt of the devastating impact on community childcare and cuts to lone parent social welfare payments have had. And, as we know, childcare is the single biggest cost of taking up work. So the real implications of these cuts are far reaching.

“Community Employment Schemes provide essential services to the public and have they have had a key role in providing education and retraining to the long term unemployed, those with a disability and many clients in recovery from drug addiction.

“Following a major outcry the Minister for Social Protection Minister Joan Burton promised a review of the cuts, their impact on the schemes and wider society.

“Seven months later many schemes have been left in limbo with uncertainty hanging over the long term viability of projects.

“Some will inevitably face imminent closure if the Government cuts are not immediately reversed.

“There is also a lack of consistency and transparency in relation to the review with some CE schemes having theirs completed and given their training budget, while others have been left completely in the dark without any recommendations.

“The Supervisors expressed their frustration at the failure of the review process to include them in any meaningful way. They had recommended the establishment of a group insurance and audit scheme to the Department as a practical money saving exercise but up to now have had no recognition or acknowledgement of their intimate knowledge of the workings of Community Employment.

“Another problem that has emerged with the review is that with its narrow parameters                 it is unable to properly assess the progress of projects particularly those that provide support and rehabilitation for drug addiction as every individual project is unique and has different levels of needs.

“Last weekend’s violence at a concert in Dublin’s Phoenix Park should be a wake- up call to Irish society. The consensus in relation to the violence seems to be attributed to excess alcohol and substance abuse. If Community Employment Schemes are to close then, another safety valve and more importantly a vital support for people attempting to combat addiction and all its manifestations will also be lost.”