Government to cut 13,000 FÁS places

THE Government is set to axe 13,000 community employment places before the end of the year.

The latest cost-cutting move will anger community and voluntary groups and further damage hopes of striking a new national pay deal.

An internal memo prepared by FÁS states the number of places on the scheme, aimed at bringing long-term unemployed people back to the workforce, will be cut from 28,000 to 15,000. The cuts mean a host of initiatives in marginalised communities will be placed under threat as they stand to lose workers available under the scheme.