Cut to Tipperary training initiatives deemed ‘disgraceful’ and ‘mean-spirited’
A decision to cut training initiatives in Tipperary has been met with condemnation from across the political spectrum, with calls for the “disgraceful” and “mean spirited” decision to be overturned.
Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) have confirmed that they will reduce the number of Local Training Initiatives (LTIs) across the county due to a lack of Government funding.
In a statement, Tipperary ETB said they had “undertaken a full review of all Further Education and Training (FET) provision to ensure alignment with a constrained financial context this year. Despite sustained engagement and a comprehensive review of our funding position, it has not been possible to secure the adjustments required to maintain current levels of provision across the county.
"As part of this wider review, reductions have been necessary across multiple areas of FET provision, including both full-time and part-time programmes, as well as operational supports. Regrettably, this also means we are not in a position to continue funding LTIs for the remainder of 2025,” the statement added.
LTIs will be cut in Littleton, Cahir, Cashel, and Tipperary town, with a total of 41 learner places set to be affected.
Reacting to the news, Tipperary town Sinn Féin councillor Annemarie Ryan said that she was “appalled” to hear the news and that the Government should be ashamed.
"I am appalled to hear this news, those courses are vital stepping stones for many people. I've seen first hand how they have improved people's lives and their futures,” Cllr Ryan said.
"Absolute shame on the government if they go ahead with these cuts. We in Sinn Féin Ireland will do whatever we can to try to reverse this decision,” Cllr Ryan added.
Cashel-based councillor Liam Browne said that the proposed cuts will have negative impacts on local resource centres such as Spafield in Cashel and Knockanrawley in Tipperary town.
"This is one of the meanest cuts I have come across in a long time. The courses being cut were designed to help young students who were falling through the cracks of mainstream education and ones who wished to get back to school, and give them the equivalent of a Leaving Cert award,” Cllr Browne hit out.
"Not every child wants to learn Shakespeare or know the surface area of a cone. But many students can get along fine in more practical settings, where they learn interpersonal and computer skills for example,” he added.
Calling for the courses to be maintained, the Cashel councillor said that everything possible should be done to ensure children can stay in education.
"We need to be doing everything we can to keep children in education, not cutting courses for piffling amounts of money,” he said.
"These are disgraceful cuts to a fantastic program, and will also impact two brilliant resource centres who will lose rental income at a time when raising funds anywhere is difficult,” Cllr Browne added.
Cahir councilor and board member of Tipperary ETB Máirín McGrath also hit out at the proposed cuts, and has requested that an emergency meeting of Tipperary ETB would take place this week.
The emergency meeting will take place on Friday.
"I will be using Friday’s special meeting to make the case that these cuts are not acceptable, and that the ETB must send a clear message to SOLAS and the Department that this level of funding is not sustainable if we are serious about inclusion, opportunity, and community development," Cllr McGrath said.
"Deputy Mattie McGrath will also raise the matter by way of a Topical Issues debate this evening in Dáil Éireann and I hope that we can find a resolution to ensure these important programmes can proceed,” she added.