Closure of FAS Training Centre Cabra

8 November 2010

by Cllr Joe Costello

The decision to close the FAS Centre on Bannow Road came as a great shock to the staff and trainees.  A report commissioned by FAS confirmed that the roof was unsafe and recommended replacement of the entire roof structure or demolition of the building.
The Cabra Training Centre was established in 1978 and caters for the Dublin 7 area and well beyond.  Currently there are 155 trainees and 14 apprentices on full-time courses.  There are 362 trainees on evening courses.  An Employment Service office will also close.  The 48 training staff will be redeployed to other FAS offices across the City.  However, there are local cleaning staff who will lose their jobs. 

 I raised the closure of the FAS Centre in the Dáil and stated that it was disgraceful that there would no be no FAS training Centre from the City Centre all the way out to and including Blanchardstown, an area of 250,000 people.   With 450,000 people on the live register and 100,000 people having emigrated in the last two years this is precisely the time when we need to be expanding FAS Training services not reducing them.
The Government should not allow Cabra FAS Centre to close until it has identified a new premises for all the trainees in the general area.    I will continue to pursue the matter in the Dáil on behalf of staff and trainees.