Interest groups react angrily to Bord Snip proposals

Trade unions and various lobby groups have reacted angrily to the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua published yesterday afternoon.

The body has proposed €5.3bn worth of cutbacks, the majority affecting the Departments of Health, Education and Social Affairs.

It suggests that 17,000 public-sector jobs could be shed.

Some public sector trade unions are threatening industrial action if the Government tries to press ahead with major cuts pay and staff numbers.

Teachers groups have lashed out at proposed reductions in special needs assistants and English language support teachers, while farmers say it appears Bord Snip has no understanding of the importance of agriculture to the Irish economy.

Elsewhere, PDFORRA says the Defence Forces are already stretched to capacity and cannot absorb hundreds more job cuts, while the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors says the closure of rural garda stations would leave vulnerable people more exposed to crime.

Business groups appear to be the only ones welcoming the Bord Snip recommendations, with IBEC saying they are necessary to protect the economy.