Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has criticised how training organisations dependent on funding to deliver Employment and Learning programmes have had their budgets cut.
The North Antrim MLA and chair of the Assembly’s DEL committee said:
"Minister Farry's unannounced removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance, will only compound the difficulties being faced by a number of groups already hamstrung by the ongoing European Social Fund difficulties.
“I have been contacted by organisations who administer DEL training allowances like the Pathways Education Maintenance Allowance scheme. They have only just received notification from the Department that their funding has been cut. Organisations working with young people already in training, have received a letter dated April 1, stating that as of 29 March 2015 the "ring fenced time bound funding" had ended and no further claims could be made - and this wasn't an April Fools trick.
“The process relating to European Social Funding applications has been fraught with difficulties, as groups involved in training in the community sector face unprecedented cuts as a result of the 2015/16 budget.
“Back in December 2014 the Department for Employment and Learning announced as part of its budget cuts that it would be stopping its Community Family Support Programme and the Collaboration and Innovation Fund. Organisations were advised to apply to the European Social Fund, but of course they were competing for support with other organisations already supported through ESF.
“According to the Minister, the European Social Fund, has been oversubscribed by 80%. As a result, many training organisations and worthwhile projects will no longer be funded by the Department of Employment and Learning.
“I am concerned that cuts in funding for training in the community sector will affect the most vulnerable in our society who have no other avenues to fund their support programmes. This issue is particularly acute since the Minister ceased funding the Community Family Support Programme, and the Collaboration and Innovation Fund. The Training for Women Network is another one of the key organisations who face an uncertain future.
“The Minister has presided over this shambles, but the parties who voted through the 2015/16 budget also need to answer the questions coming from the community as to why their programmes have been scrapped so abruptly.”