O’Brien Seeks Meeting on Cork Centre for the Unemployed

O’Brien Seeks Meeting on Cork Centre for the Unemployed



Speaking after attending a protest against the threatened closure of the Cork Centre for the Unemployed yesterday, Jonathan O’Brien TD has called on FÁS and the Cork Council of Trade Unions to do everything in their power to keep the centre open.


Deputy O’Brien said:



“The Cork Centre for the Unemployed provides a vital service to the nearly 40,000 people without work in Cork. Its importance is underlined by the latest figures for the Live Register, which show a further rise in long-term unemployment.”



“There is an onus on all the stakeholders involved to work together to secure the future of the Centre. I have written to both FÁS and the Cork Council of Trade Unions to seek a meeting on the issue.”



“I am pleased that the Council of Trade Unions is meeting with workers at the Centre today, and hopefully they will be able to identify ways in which the Council can assist the continued operation of the Centre.”



“A crucial role in resolving the matter lies with FÁS. It has been claimed the agency has concerns about the management of the Centre. If this is the case then it should state the nature of these concerns and publish any reports on the matter.”



"Whatever issues FÁS may have, the solution lies in open discussion with the workers and possibly changes in management procedures at the Centre. Simply to withdraw funding for CE places and close the service is unacceptable.”