More Savage FAS Cuts In Bawnogue Clondalkin

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Friday April 05, 2013 12:57 by Clondalkin Resident

Hi All:

As of last Thursday ( March 28th 2013 ) FAS funding for the DBD Jobs Club, in Bawnogue ( Clondalkin ) has been withdrawn completely without any satisfactory explanation.

The Jobs Club Leader has been told that he is about to be made redundant and all services from our Jobs Club is to be withdrawn immediately.

Over the last 10 years, The Jobs Club has provided a very valuable service to local jobseekers over and it is unthinkable that, when its needed most, the area will be deprived of this valuable service.

The Jobs Club Leader is owed a substantial amount of Wages, Holiday Pay and Redundancy! He was told that he will not be paid Redundancy and that he has to go “Cap in Hand” to the Department of Social Protection for Statutory Redundancy.

Martin has been left with no choice but to occupy his Workplace since last Tuesday Morning ( April 2nd )

There is a pretty worrying development – a security guard has been placed outside his door whose brief it is to lock Martin out of his workplace as soon as he tries to go use the toilet etc.

The toilets are in a common area away from the DBD Jobs Club Training Room – Martin’s Workplace.

This measure has been implemented subsequent to a visit to Martin ( on the afternoon of Wednesday 03rd ) by Mr Larry O’Neill, Chair of ACE ( www.actioncommunityenterprise.ie ) and Deputy CEO of Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle ( CPLN ) Area Partnership ( www.cpln.ie ).

I would appeal to all to contact Mr. O’Neill at [email protected] and ask him to allow Martin free access to Toilet Facilities etc. in the course of his protest. If you prefer to ring; Mr. O’Neill’s office number is that of the Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle ( CPLN ) Area Partnership – (01) 4508788.

At the end of the day, my simple understanding is that Organisation like those two, mentioned above, that Mr. O’Neill holds prominent positions on are meant to be Community-focussed and helping those in our Community that may experience the difficulties that our Jobs Club Leader, Martin, is experiencing at the moment.

I, also, understand that Security will deny any potential visitors access to Martin at his Workplace – the DBD Jobs Club Training Room.

In the modern “post Celtic-Tiger” day it is a shame to see organisations like these apparently closing their ears completely to the plight.

How Can You Help?

1. Contact Mr Larry O’Neill, Chair of ACE ( www.actioncommunityenterprise.ie ) and Deputy CEO of Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle ( CPLN ) Area Partnership ( www.cpln.ie ) and ask him to allow Martin free access to Toilet Facilities etc. in the course of his protest.
Mr. O’Neill’s Office number is that of the Clondalkin, Palmerstown, Lucan, Newcastle ( CPLN ) Area Partnership – (01) 4508788 and his eMail address is: [email protected]

2. Contact the DBD Advice & Information Centre, Unit 14, Bawnogue Shopping Centre, Bawnogue and ask them what they are going to do to ensure Martin gets the wages and Holiday Pay owed to him. Their Phone Number is: (01) 4577925 / (01) 4576933. Their eMail address is: [email protected]

3. Contact Mr. Tom Rowan, Manager Community Services, FAS / Department Social Protection, Ballyfermot and ask him what the future holds for the DBD Jobs Club which has provided a valuable service to the Clondalkin Community over the last 10 years. The Jobs Club Leader, Martin, has delivered those services with dedication and passion throughout that length of time – yet this is how he is being treated. Mr. Rowan’s eMail address is: [email protected] and his Telephone Number is: (01) 6235612.

4. Let Martin know that you are aware of his and the DBD Jobs Club plight. Martin has given a lot to the local community over the last 10 years – we need your help now. His eMail address is: [email protected] . A few words of encouragement will mean a lot.

I am directly contactable on (086) 6004341 or (01) 4045129.

Kind Regards

John O'Shea