Jobs programmes 'need funding'

Restoration of funding for community jobs programmes is needed to tackle long-term unemployment and assist disadvantaged communities, the union Siptu has said.

Funding for the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) has been reduced by 35 per cent in the last four years, from €84.7 million in 2008 to €55.3 million in 2012.

Siptu is calling on the Government to fund a major expansion of the programme as the most effective means of tackling unemployment.

Siptu community sector organiser, Darragh O’Connor, said local development companies have shown that they can deliver real employment growth and value for money for the tax payer.

“During this period the programme supported 5,042 people into self-employment and 1,121 into employment. According to Changing Ireland magazine the cost of each new job created through the LCDP was just €5,000, which compares with a cost of €12,024 for each job created by Enterprise Ireland.”

A failure to restore and increase funding would not only worsen unemployment but would have a devastating impact on the front line services provided by community companies, the union said.