Fás accused of trainer ban

EMBATTLED state employment agency Fás has been accused of planning to cancel all external trainer contracts from today as part of a cost-saving measure.

Making the claims last night, Sinn Féin finance spokesman Arthur Morgan said “a number” of part-time trainers have been informed that their contracted hours have been cancelled as part of the plans.

“The Government needs to come out and clarify this immediately Just what exactly are they at?” said Mr Morgan.

“At a time when unemployment is at record levels and there is an urgent need for training and upskilling the Government is letting go the very people who providing that training and upskilling. Not only is the economy in crisis, but it would seem that this Government is in crisis. They are all over the place on the economy.”

Fás has been under intense scrutiny since last Autumn over a series of financial scandals surrounding its former chief Roddy Molloy.