Thousands to lose out on community job schemes

THOUSANDS of people who could have benefited from community employment (CE) schemes are no longer eligible due to Government cutbacks.

Under budget proposals, a weekly average of 3,860 people will have their jobseekers’ benefit cut from 12 months to nine months, rendering them ineligible for CE schemes.

To qualify for the schemes — operated by FÁS and aimed at helping the long-term unemployed — potential candidates have to be in receipt of a payment for 12 consecutive months.