Gateway scheme workers not ‘first in line’ for jobs
A CLAIM by Cllr George Lawlor that Wexford County Council Gateway scheme workers were told they would be first in line for jobs was denied at the meeting.
Cllr Lawlor said the scheme is coming to an end, adding that it didn’t appear that anybody on the scheme was getting a full-time job with the local authority. Director of Services Eamonn Hore said the council made a decision to take on a number of general operatives as part of a staff review. Mr Hore said: ‘We are very much down on staff but there is a balance to be struck. There is no bar on Gateway people. All of the Gateway workers are excellent and lots of them qualified for interviews. I would love to see Gateway workers get a job.’
Head of Finance Annette O’Neill said: ‘National Government brought this scheme on us and we are very appreciative of the work that people on the Gateway scheme have done and we are disappointed to see it end. We are encouraging the Gateway staff to apply for vacancies that are arising.’
Cllr Lawlor said the workers only received a €20 top-up for their work. ‘ There was an indication that the workers would be first in line.’ Mr Hore said the workers are at an advantage as they have worked for the local authority.
Having researched the matter, Mr Hore said there were around 100 applicants for the council jobs, adding that seven people came from the Gateway programme and 17 from the Community Employment schemes. Interviews took place on Thursday.