The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Fás schemes are “slave labour” says local councillor
THE FAS Social Employment Scheme’s have been branded as a form of “slave labour” by Independent Cllr Tommy Foley who says he is totally opposed to the concept.
Cllr Foley says that people only go on them as a form of therapy and to help to prevent themselves from going crazy while waiting on for work on the dole queue.
At present there are 17,000 people on 3,000 FAS Social Employment schemes and the Tralee councillor believes that no one should be asked to do work for the money that is being paid to those participating on social employment schemes.
“People are entitled to their dignity, and should be paid their fair share that they are owed” he declared this week.Cllr Foley said that he could not tolerate any more schemes in the county adding that it is providing very cheap labour for Kerry County Council.
However, he did praise what he described as the very good work that is being carried out by those currently working on the schemes.
Cllr Foley said people go on the schemes “to keep out of the mad house” adding that they get paid just a few pounds more than they would get if they were still on the dole.
However, not all councillors in the county are opposed to the scheme and Cllr Michael Cahill, FF, believes the schemes to be excellent. “
As far as I can see everybody on them is only too delighted to be working,” he said.
Acting County Manager, Paddy d’Arcy said that no one working in any capacity or on any project for Kerry County Council are regarded as slaves.
FAS spokesman, Gerard Walker, said that the actual allowance that is being paid to the scheme participants is in all cases higher that their social welfare entitlements.
He added that there is a very high demand for the schemes in communities throughout the country and among potential participants who see the schemes in terms of getting a toehold in the jobs market.
He said the demand for the schemes are indicative of the popularity of the schemes. He said they are basically temporary employment schemes.
He added that now that there is a child dependent element included in the payments to scheme participants.
He pointed out that community, tourism and recreation facilities have benefited from the schemes.
FAS are now soon to be asked to put a social employment scheme in place in Sneem at the request of Cllr Michael Connor-Scarteen, Fine Gael, who says that work is being carried out under the scheme will help the village in it’s bid to help improve the village’s marks in the Tidy Towns Competition