Congress warns of potential job losses in voluntary sector

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is warning of huge job losses in the voluntary and community sector if state funding continues to be cut.

A new report on the downsizing of the community sector is to be launched today.

The ICTU said that cuts to funding in this area will result in the loss of over 11,000 jobs by the end of 2013.

The future of many local and community services and projects will also be in doubt if funding is curtailed, Congress said.

"Our fear is that… if people don't take a stand now we could lose a vital resource that's been built up over the past 20 years," said spokesperson David Connolly.

"And it's needed more than ever now."