SIPTU
members have welcomed the decision of the Department of Social Protection to
partially restore material and training funding to Community Employment (CE)
schemes.
The decision
followed an intensive lobbying campaign by trade unions on behalf of CE workers
and will ensure schemes across the country can continue to deliver vital
services to local communities.
At a meeting on
Friday, 13th July, officials at the Department of Social
Protection confirmed to a union delegation that the total materials and
training budget for 2012 will be €20.5 million, an increase of €9.5 million
over the allocation announced in the budget
in December 2011.
SIPTU Sector
Organiser, Darragh O’Connor, said; “The decision to nearly double the CE
materials and training budget from what
was initially allocated will ensure
that no CE scheme will close in 2012. CE schemes employ over 22,000 people and
deliver a range of crucial services including childcare, elder care, disability
care, drug rehabilitation and environmental work, so it was crucial that the
Government decided to re-think this budget
cut.”
He added; “The decision of the Department of Social Protection to review its allocation follows an intensive seven month trade union led ‘Save Our Schemes’ campaign. SIPTU members and activists brought their message about the importance of CE schemes to politicians across the country with delegation visits, mass meetings and open days".
He added; “The decision of the Department of Social Protection to review its allocation follows an intensive seven month trade union led ‘Save Our Schemes’ campaign. SIPTU members and activists brought their message about the importance of CE schemes to politicians across the country with delegation visits, mass meetings and open days".
There was also key engagements with Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton and senior Departmental officials by SIPTU General Officers Jack O'Connor (General President) and Patricia King (Vice President) during the campaign.
CE Supervisor and SIPTU activist, Seamie Briscoe, said; “Over 50 Government and opposition TDs heard first hand from workers the impact of cuts and the likely closure of schemes if action wasn’t taken. This decision is recognition of the crucial role that Community Employment plays, not only in the provision of vital services, but also in helping people get back to work. It also shows why community sector workers need to get organised to defend jobs and services.”
SIPTU Community
Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, welcomed a further commitment by the
Department of Social Protection to a wider review of CE and Community Childcare
schemes.
“If the Minister
for Social Protection, Joan Burton, is to meet her stated aim of a Scandinavian
model of childcare the potential role of Community Employment has to be fully
realised,” he said.
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