THE IRISH Congress of Trade Unions has put forward its own proposals for a social employment scheme that it says could be used to provide services in areas such as childcare and community development and services for the elderly.
Congress said yesterday that as part of proposals on employment creation submitted to Government it had suggested that an innovative social employment scheme be developed to ensure new graduates or people who had lost their jobs had opportunities to gain meaningful work and increase their skills.
“For example, in the area of childcare, selected schools could be designated as local centres for the provision of pre- and post-school care facilities for children up to age 14 during term time and for the provision of camp-care facilities during holiday periods. Core posts could be supplemented by a graduate placement scheme and/or unemployed people with suitable skills and experience.
“This scheme could be coordinated by Fás with the collaboration of the national childhood investment programme, the Department of Education and local authorities. Service co-ordination would be the responsibility of the county childcare committees, who could match needs with services, supervise standards and ensure adequate provision in their local districts.”
Congress said any schemes introduced should be subject to the same employment safeguards that exist with community employment schemes that require prior trade union approval.
Ictu’s proposals were submitted to the Government last May. An earlier version of the plan had been prepared in May 2009.
Last Sunday, the Department of Social Protection revealed plans for a pilot scheme that would initially offer social employment on a range of projects – such as the provision of childcare, working with sports clubs and on environmental initiatives such as improving forest and mountain pathways – to around 10,000 people who were unemployed. They would be paid about €210 for a 19.5-hour week. However, under the Minister’s plans, those who refused to take up this work would lose their welfare payments
Congress said earlier this week that it would oppose the Government’s plan to to make thousands of unemployed people engage in social employment in the community as a condition of retaining their existing benefits. Congress is now scheduled to hold talks with the Minister.
On Thursday, employers’ group Ibec said it was disappointed that the trade union movement was opposing the proposals.
Ibec chief Brendan Butler said: “Where a properly structured work opportunity is refused, the person should no longer be entitled to support from the State and the taxpayer. The vast majority of unemployed people would welcome an opportunity to gain work experience, and there can be little sympathy for the small number who would refuse such an offer.”