Martin’s job scheme changes fail to reverse FÁS cuts

CHANGES to community employment schemes will allow over-55s to serve for six years, but won’t actually increase the reduced numbers of places on FÁS programmes.

The reforms announced by Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin yesterday were heralded as a breakthrough by Fianna Fáil backbenchers but derided by opposition parties for failing to reverse the cuts to the schemes.

Following the 2002 general election, the Government made substantial cuts to FÁS employment schemes, reducing the number from 30,000 to 19,000. The cuts by Tánaiste Mary Harney, including 5,000 CES places, sparked a revolt within Fianna Fáil.