SIPTU calls on Government to prevent closure of National Disabled Angling facility in Aughrim

national | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Tuesday January 17, 2012 12:22 by Paul Gavan - SIPTU

Budget cuts to force closure of CE Scheme

SIPTU have called on the government to intervene to prevent the closure of an award winning Community Employment Scheme

On Friday (20th January), the National Disabled Angling Facility in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, will close its gates as a community facility. Twenty three individuals employed by Aughrim Tidy Towns Ltd. will lose their jobs.

Confirmation of the closure of this award winning Community Employment Scheme came after an Emergency Board Meeting of Aughrim Tidy Towns Ltd, the not for profit company that sponsors the project, which took place last Friday evening, 13th January.

The scheme is funded by FÁS which has implemented a 66% cut in funding despite a Government commitment that no Community Employment Scheme would close pending a review which is due to be completed by the end of March of this year. No such review has commenced with regard to this project.

Director of the company and Manager of the scheme, Barry Moules, said;

“The cut of two thirds to our funding that has come into force since 1st January before any review has taken place means we simply do not have the money to keep the scheme going. All of our participants are devastated and the consequences for our town are very serious.” He called on the Government, and local TD’s in particular, to intervene with FÁS as a matter of urgency to ensure the survival of the Community Employment Scheme.

The closure of the scheme will mean that the National Disabled Angling Park will have to close to the public. This in turn will result in the closure of the new children’s playground situated in the park. The closure of the park will also have a huge impact on local retailers and the shops providing services to anglers. The wide range of duties in relation to tidy towns work such as litter collection and grass cutting will also cease.

Among the employees affected is Brendan Tallon, a 42 year old father of six children who has been employed on the scheme for the last 18 months.

“This scheme is helping me to up my carpentry skills and begin to plan for self-employment. To be told that it’s going to be stopped when I’m only half way through my 3 year placement is a shattering experience,” he said.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, called on FÁS to respect the Government’s commitment with regard to funding.

“Minister Joan Burton gave a clear undertaking in the Dáil that no Community Employment Scheme will close pending the outcome of the review. I am calling on FÁS to respect this commitment and ensure adequate funding continues to be given for this excellent scheme that plays such a vital role in the local tourism economy of Co Wicklow”