7 January 1999 Edition
T&EA lashed over Christmas shock
The Training and Employment Agency (T&EA) in the Six Counties has been roundly criticised for precipitating a crisis in the community sector when it sent a circular to community groups over the Christmas period announcing proposals to end the ACE employment scheme.
Dara O'Hagan, Sinn Fein's Economy spokesperson, said the T&EA move to present the ending of ACE as a ``fait accompli'' had ``effectively circumvented any process of consultation''. She said it is ``clearly an attempt to replace ACE ahead of powers being devolved to the Assembly and before the North/South ministerial council is set up.''
Meanwhile, Eileen Howell, Director of the Falls Community Council has predicted that the forecasted cuts will decimate many community organisations.
The proposed cuts will mean not only job loses but will create a vacuum in areas of greatest social need where ACE has provided services and facilities which would not otherwise exist.
``The T&EA,'' said Howell, ``appears able to act with impunity. It has suppressed information on the future of ACE and the pilot of the Community Work Programme (CWP) [also discontinued]. It has also dismissed widespread concern about Welfare-To-Work and attempted to shout down criticisms of the New Deal with PR puff and contradictory statistics.''
Dara O'Hagan, Sinn Fein's Economy spokesperson, said the T&EA move to present the ending of ACE as a ``fait accompli'' had ``effectively circumvented any process of consultation''. She said it is ``clearly an attempt to replace ACE ahead of powers being devolved to the Assembly and before the North/South ministerial council is set up.''
Meanwhile, Eileen Howell, Director of the Falls Community Council has predicted that the forecasted cuts will decimate many community organisations.
The proposed cuts will mean not only job loses but will create a vacuum in areas of greatest social need where ACE has provided services and facilities which would not otherwise exist.
``The T&EA,'' said Howell, ``appears able to act with impunity. It has suppressed information on the future of ACE and the pilot of the Community Work Programme (CWP) [also discontinued]. It has also dismissed widespread concern about Welfare-To-Work and attempted to shout down criticisms of the New Deal with PR puff and contradictory statistics.''