Lavelle campaigns for employment

Cllr. William Lavelle, Fine Gael council for Lucan & Palmerstown has this week launched an online campaign at www.williamlavelle.ie in support of his proposals to establish a community employment scheme to take people off the  dole AND to support council services such as grass-cutting and litter-cleansing.

Online petition at www.williamlavelle.ie

 Cllr. Lavelle states: “In recent months I have been pushing a proposal to establish a community employment and training scheme under the auspices of the council to take people off the dole, to get their skills working for the community, even if just through augmenting much-needed front-line council services such as grass-cutting, cemetery maintenance and litter-cleansing. Such a scheme could also be tied in to FETAC training courses such as in landscape management and could also provide opportunities for apprentices to finish their training.

“Given that we are paying so much out in dole-payments it doesn’t make sense that we are not trying to get some sort of return for the community.

“Scandalously my proposals are being blocked by government red-tape and beaurocracy. I have seen my efforts are being thwarted by the dead-hand of government because those in national government cannot and will not agree on something so simple as who should employ and pay for scheme supervisors.

“But I’m not giving-up! I am now intensifying my campaign. I have tabled a further motion which is high-up the agenda for the July meeting of South Dublin County Council and I will be seeking support from council management and from all political parties for my proposals.

“I have also established an online petition on my website www.williamlavelle.ie so as to give members of the public an opportunity to express their support for my campaign.