The Government has been told that support for initiatives to promote workplace equality will need to increase because EU funding for such projects is drawing to a close.
The European Social Fund has helped to deliver dozens of projects around the country since the 1980s, such as affordable childcare, workplace training for women and mentoring programmes for long-term unemployed. However, the latest round of funding is due to be completed by the end of December, when it is expected that Ireland will see a major reduction in support for programmes under the social fund.
Peter Cassells, chairman of the Centre for Partnership and Performance, said the days of relying on the EU to provide funds for programmes targeting inequality were over.
"The completion of the Equal Community Initiative in December will effectively mark the end of European support for innovative programmes to tackle labour market inequality and discrimination. This means it is now up to the Government and social partners to prioritise support for such programmes if the benefits of inclusion are to be maintained and further enhanced."
Since 2001, the initiative - funded through the social fund to the tune of €35 million - has supported 43 projects. Its primary objective has been to promote equality and diversity in the labour market. Mr Cassells said the impact which this funding had on our economy and society could not be underestimated.
Tony Tyrrell, co-ordinator of the Equal Initiative in Ireland, said many projects established under the initiative had become self-sustaining or had established new funding lines.