A
NORTHSIDE woman has hit out at FÃS after being told that she will have to
forfeit her place on a training course if she can’t do full-time hours.
However,
the State training agency – soon to be re-launched as Solas – insists that the
course, entitled
‘Parents Training Together’, was advertised as full-time and
have offered to help her source an alternative programme.
Annemarie
Ellis Doyle (26), from Coolock, who started work in a Breakfast Club on August
15 at St Francis National School, Priorswood, was devastated when FAS informed
her last Tuesday (August 23) that she would have to leave the course if she
couldn’t do full-time hours.
Ms
Ellis Doyle, who has been unemployed for four years, told Northside People that
going on the course was designed to help her get back into the routine of going
to work.
“I
informed the social welfare and even arranged childcare for my three children,
aged 2, 5 and 7,
? she stated.
“My
course was due to finish on June 30, 2012, but now FAS are taking back the
place they gave me. It’s totally unfair.
“I
was all settled and prepared to go out to work and was really looking forward
to the course.
“This
was the little kick-start I needed and now it has been taken from me. They’ve
gone and pulled this from under my feet.
?
Ms
Ellis Doyle believes FÃS should have sorted out the situation during the
summer.
She
pointed out that as the Dublin 17 area is such an unemployment blackspot, it
needs all the support it can get.
“This
decision is putting people back on the dole again,
? she added.
A
spokesperson for FÃS told Northside People that the
‘Parents Training Together’
course is a full-time Local Training Initiative that has been running for a
number of years in the Darndale/Belcamp community area.
“The
course allows participants to achieve a Level 5 Further Education and Training
Awards Council (FETAC) training award,
? the spokesperson said.
“The
most recent programme was advertised by FÃS as a full-time course, providing
training for 60 people.
“However,
five participants have difficulty with the full-time nature of this training.
?
The
spokesperson said FÃS Employment Services will meet these individuals to
discuss options for part-time training on alternative programmes in the area.
“However,
the
‘Parents Training Together’ programme is going ahead as planned,
? the
spokesperson added.
Artane
Whitehall ward councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) has taken up the cases of those
affected.
“They
willingly took up the places after having made arrangements for childminding,
?
he said.
“Now
they have been informed that they will have to go full-time.
“In
many instances this just won’t be possible, so the trainees are effectively
being denied valuable work related training and experience.
?
Cllr O’Toole added that he
would be contacting both FAS and Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn,
seeking an explanation on the matter.