Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection, Claire Kerrane TD, has criticised the government for supporting her motion calling for the suspension of the current tendering process while having no intention of doing so.

The motion was brought by Teachta Kerrane to protect community services from privatisation and was debated in the Dáil yesterday evening.

Speaking this morning, Teachta Kerrane said:

“It is incredible that the Government has supported a Dáil motion that they spoke against.

“I brought this motion to protect community employment services and send the clear message that our communities are not for sale. The motion called for an end to this government’s attempts to privatise these vital services and hollow them out.

“Incredibly, the Government spoke against but then supported my motion, despite having no intention of suspending the current tendering process as the motion sets out. Their behaviour is a further kick in the teeth to Local Employment Service and Job Club workers. The Government needs to be honest with people and stop talking out of both sides of their mouth.

“It is telling that not a single Fianna Fáil TD was in the chamber during the debate, despite many of them supporting these services in their constituencies. Community services must be protected and this issue will not go away. The government cannot continue to hollow out services in this way. They should be upfront and honest with people about the reality of what they are doing.”