A PROJECT which has successfully returned dozens of Donegal people to work is in shock after the Government axed funding – despite a 60% success rate.
The Irish Centre for Business Excellence – a not for profit business network under whose direction the Begin Again is run – says it is stunned after the government cut funding to its ‘Begin Again’ programme by discontinuing the Labour Market Activation Fund.
And some of those who found positions thanks to placements organised by the company say the decision flies in the face of political party promises to create jobs.
Director John Buckley said today: “I have to admit we are in a state of shock. The programme is aimed at experienced and professional individuals and despite the fact it has only operated since last June it had been very successful.
“We matched businesses to the skills of the people who joined our programme and they provided their skills to those businesses for twelve week work placements.
“There is a commitment from the employers that they will seek to offer a job at the end of it, if the placement works out to the satisfaction of both. “In 60% of cases people have been removed from the Live Register; giving between €5M and €10M back to the exchequer on an annual basis. We are gutted.”
The scheme was funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund, operated by the Department of Education and Skills and there are currently 402 people participating in the programme nationwide. (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Donegal and Sligo).
In Donegal alone there are over 90 participants and these include 15 graphic design / multimedia graduates, 32 people training as sports / fitness coaches with GAA clubs and schools throughout the county and 16 participants on a Woodland worker development programme. It is expected that a majority of these people will procure long term jobs through participation in the programme.
A further 540 applicants and 518 companies (888 work placements) are registered with Begin Again for 2011. This is now under threat.
Said Mr Buckley: “We have tried but failed to get an adequate explanation from Government. I don’t know how they can explain their decision when the programme has had such a great success rate thus far.”
By continuing the programme in 2011, Begin Again could train up to 700 people with an estimated 450 people returning to work and generating between €10-20 million annually to the exchequer. The organisation is hosting a day-long series of events in Glenties, Co Donegal, this Saturday Feb 19 called ‘Positivity Day’.
Ann Marie Perry, who now works as a Fundraising Admnistrator with the charity Bothar in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, said: “Begin Again provided me with the chance to establish myself in an office environment, to put into practice the skills I had acquired as a result of going back to college and to prove to myself and my host company that I could do it.
“It gave me a sense of pride and achievement, I felt good about myself. I was extremely fortunate in that I was placed in a company who treated me with respect and dignity and who have now employed me directly. The Begin Again Programme offers opportunities, mentoring, training and back up.
“There is always someone at the end of the phone if there are any problems or queries, regardless how seemingly trivial they may be
