A NORTHSIDE project that has been providing second
chance education is in danger of shutting down as a result of the devastating
cuts planned for Community Employment (CE) schemes.
TARGET, based
in Donaghmede for the last 20 years, is one of at least 20 CE schemes in Dublin
that are in danger of closing following the announcement of funding cuts.
Slashed
The proposed 66
per cent cut means the funding of a materials grant and training grant for each
CE participant has been slashed from
?¬1,500 to
?¬500.
All involved in
the TARGET community service are appealing to Minister for Social Protection
Joan Burton to reverse the crippling cuts.
“The cut will
affect the
?¬23,000 grant we get for materials each year,
? TARGET spokesperson
Heidi Bedell told Northside People.
“The money we
get at the moment is just about enough to keep us going.
“We’ve had to
go down the route of fundraising drives so that we can continue the service.
“Quite simply,
if that cut to the CE scheme is introduced it’ll be the last straw for us and
we won’t be able to continue in operation.
?
Charity
There are 23 CE
participants employed by TARGET , which is a registered charity that provides
literacy support, affordable childcare and courses to further the education of
service users.
“We are happy
that a review will be carried out of the CE schemes because I don’t think there
has been a review for a long time if ever at all,
? Ms Bedell added.
Positive
“I think it’s
probably a case that we don’t advertise enough how beneficial and what a
positive effect CE schemes such as TARGET have on the community.
“Hopefully,
Minister Burton will realise that fact and reconsider the budget cut.
?
Dublin North
East TD Tommy Broughan (Lab) is also calling on Minister Burton to reverse the
cuts because of the huge extra burden this will place on local employment
creation and community service organisations.
“My
constituency has schemes such as the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre,
Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme and Howth Sutton Community Council,
?
Deputy Broughan told Northside People.
“I am most
familiar with the Northside Centre for the Unemployed and Coolock Development
Council because I have been a director of them for more than 25 years.
“If the
cut of
?¬1,000 per worker for training and materials goes ahead, we will lose
?¬120,000.
Disaster
It will be
devastating and it will be a disaster for these groups of companies.
“The money has
primarily been used for progression-based training courses in the past,
including construction, welding, elder care, child care, landscaping, food and
hygiene, occupational first aid and office skills.
“It will be
disastrous for our training programmes if the Minister’s review does not
reconsider this cut urgently.
?
Minister Burton
confirmed that a review of CE schemes would be carried out and that financial
assistance would be provided in the event that some CE schemes are in
difficulty as a result of the cuts.
“Community
Employment schemes provide a very important and valued contribution to social
employment, training and progression for unemployed people,
? Minister Burton
stated.
“As part of the
entry of FAS into my department on January 1 2012, I have directed that a
review of CE schemes will commence immediately.
“No Community
Employment scheme will close pending the outcome of this review.
“The purpose of
the review will be to establish the ongoing viability of each scheme in the
context of the overall CE program and recognising in particular the community
and social value of each CE scheme.
?
Minister Burton
added:
“In the event of a reduction in the training and material grant
announced in the budget creates financial difficulties for schemes that would
otherwise be viable, my department will be in a position to fund such schemes
from within the overall Department budget.
?