Supervisors of community employment schemes have accused the Government of failing to consult them about planned cuts affecting thousands of jobs.
They say up to 10,000 participants in the schemes, as well as 700 supervisors, will lose their jobs if cuts anticipated in an internal FÁS review go ahead.
However, a spokesman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said no decisions had yet been taken about future funding for the schemes.
Speculation that the number of places was to be reduced from 25,000 to 15,000 by the end of the year arose from an internal FÁS document which was leaked about a month ago, he said. The document had merely explored various options, but there would be no decision on funding until the Government estimates were finalised around mid-November, he added.
Supervisors of the schemes say cuts along the lines envisaged will cause devastation to communities throughout the State.
The National Network of Community Employment Supervisors, which claims to represent more than half the 2,500 supervisors currently managing schemes, claimed it had not been consulted about proposed cuts. "We find it appalling that such major decisions are being made without including those most affected in the consultation process and decision-making," it said.
Ms Tríona O'Connor, a spokeswoman for the network, said the review currently being carried out was concerned with "facts and figures".
Supervisors would like to be involved in the process to point out the full human value of the schemes, which provide employment for people over 25 who have been on social welfare for a year or more.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, told the Dáil yesterday that participation rates in the schemes were being gradually reduced to reflect the significant reduction in the numbers of long-term unemployed.
There was also a shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there was a greater level of progression to employment.
Ms O'Connor, however, said in the past year alone, 10 people had progressed from community employment schemes at the Simon Community, where she works, to full employment.
Ms Harney said participation rates in the schemes next year would depend on available funding.
