Concerns have been raised over the Government plans to privatise the Community job activations services.
SIPTU yesterday contacted the Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion in the Department of Social Protection, Joe O’Brien to support the campaign to halt the proposed move.
Community jobs schemes are geared to reintroduce people back into the work force and provide benefits to local communities.
SIPTU claim that the Department of Social Protection is currently tendering for the design and commission of a low cost model for delivering community job activation services.
They says this plan would fundamentally alter how these essential services are provided and facilitate a race to the bottom by rewarding the cheapest bidder.”
Leitrim Sinn Fein Councillor works with various community groups he says the programme has worked well in the past and should not be changed:
