Centres for the training of people with mental illness and mental handicap were hit by the first of a series of one-day strikes yesterday, reports Carol Coulter.
Members of SIPTU and IMPACT are protesting at the delay in the completion of a review of Eve Holdings, a limited company funded by the Eastern Health Board which provides employment and training services for those with mental health and learning difficulties. The company is heavily dependent on European funding.
According to the unions, this review was due for completion in September 1997. The unions have accused Eve Holdings management of delay in making their submission to the review group.
The Eastern Health Board rejected the union's claim that management failed to make a submission.
"Eve Holdings has in fact made a detailed submission to the review group," it said in a statement.
"The external consultant chairing the review group has indicated that the report is almost complete."
In response to a question from The Irish Times about the date of the management submission and the date the review was due for completion, it said in a further statement: "Initially it had been envisaged that the review could be completed by September 1997.
"However, when work got under way it emerged that it would require extensive consultations which would lengthen the timescale.
The staff of Eve Holdings were kept apprised of this at all stages in regular meetings with the senior management of Eve Holdings.
"The management of Eve Holdings made a number of oral submissions to the review chairman and a final written submission in early June."