INOU Criticises Government for Lack of Support to Disadvantaged Communities

22 May 2003

The Government last night (21/05/2003) failed to support a motion tabled by the Labour party calling for a cessation of cuts in the number of community employment places, the advancement of funding for the RAPID projects and for adequate resources and strategies to be in place for disadvantaged communities.

The motion was supported by other members of opposition who highlighted the devastating effects cuts in community employment programme are having at a personal, organisational and local level. For the individual, the schemes have provided valuable work experience, training and improved their self-confidence to help them progress into the open labour market. Therefore these cutbacks ultimately reduces the employment chances of participants, which in turn reduces the skills available in the work force. For organisations, the services provided by CE participants have had to be downscaled or in many instances the projects have closed because it is uneconomical for them to continue with reduced numbers as their overhead costs would remain the same regardless of fewer staff. Also, due to the ad-hoc approach to which schemes are being cut there is a great uncertainty hanging over projects staff and participants which is very demoralising. Finally, the communities themselves who are the main beneficiaries of the CE schemes are suffering from fewer services and are becoming further isolated.

‘In an era of rising unemployment, with the latest live register figures at 168,100 the ongoing cutbacks to the CE programme are unacceptable,’ said June Tinsley, Policy Officer of the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed. ‘This is especially true in areas where there is little scope for unemployed people to gain training and work experience and even fewer alternative employment opportunities.’

In the end, the Government tabled their own amendment to the motion calling for support in their ongoing commitment and work towards disadvantaged communities and this was subsequently passed.