LIMERICK Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has welcomed the direct confirmation he received from the Rehab Group yesterday, Monday 28th June, that they have made an application to the Department of Social Protection for funding under the Activation & Family Support Programme (AFSP) to develop a transitional training programme for 36 former workers of Rehab Enterprises in Raheen. This follows Deputy O’Donnell’s specific request for such application to be made by Rehab after he had sought and received confirmation from the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphrey’s TD that this training funding stream could be applied for by Rehab in respect of the former Rehab enterprise workers in Limerick. This full-time training programme will be for a 6 months duration, with a proposal to start in August.
Deputy O’Donnell has maintained ongoing engagement with both the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD and the Rehab Group to ensure former workers’ retraining and to allow them to remain together as a unit which they and their families wish for.
“I very much welcome the direct confirmation I received on yesterday, Monday 28th June from the Rehab Group that they have made an application to the Department of Social Protection for funding under the Activation & Family Support Programme (AFSP) to develop a transitional training programme for 36 former workers of Rehab Enterprises in Raheen. This application was submitted last Friday 25th June and is for a full-time 6 months duration training programme, with a proposal to start in August.
“This follows my specific request to Rehab for such an application under the Activation & Family Support programme (AFSP) to be made. I did this after I had sought and received confirmation from the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD that this training funding stream could be applied for by Rehab in respect of these former Rehab enterprise workers in Limerick.
“With the application now made, today I have written to Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD asking for her Department to expedite the processing and approval of this vital 6 months full-time Activation & Family support programme for the former Rehab Enterprise workers to ensure it can get up and running in August, as proposed.
“Since being made redundant in early April, this has been a very difficult time for the former Rehab enterprise workers here in Limerick. They and their families have been in contact with me about the setting up of such a transitional training programme which would allow them to continue to re-train together as a unit. I am pleased that Rehab have now made an application to the Department of Social protection for such a training scheme.
“Moreover, keeping them together as a unit to undertake training is very important to the former rehab employees and their families. Furthermore, I believe it would greatly enhance the effectiveness of the training programme. This training programme will build on the range of skills that these former employees of Rehab enterprises already possess and also upskill them in new areas for employment.
“Overall, the objective of this programme is to provide funding for training to assist individuals and families to enhance their employability through education and personal development opportunities and to improve their quality of life.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the former Rehab staff in Limerick and ensure this application from Rehab under the Activation & Family Support Programme (AFSP) is advanced and approved by the Department of Social protection as quickly as possible.
