Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe has said the revelation of a pre-retirement holiday perk in FAS again undermines the agency at time when its work has never been more important. Senator Donohoe added that it was more evidence of the endemic culture of waste fostered by Fianna Fail.
“The taxpayer loses out once again as it has emerged that senior FAS staff receive up to 44 extra days leave in the two years prior to retirement. At a time when everyone else will have to work longer to secure a decent pension, the contrast in the treatment of FAS staff is stark.
“The revelation of another unacceptable practice taking place in FAS is infuriating but hardly surprising as it is just more evidence of the endemic culture of waste fostered by Fianna Fail. News that Mary Coughlan was unaware of this cosy arrangement unfortunately doesn’t come as a shock either as her hands off approach is clearly part of the problem.
“It is deeply regrettable that she has failed to get a grip on the State Training Agency because an efficient, reputable and well-functioning FAS has never been more important at a time when there are almost 437,000 people on the Live Register. Instead the drip feed of dodgy practices continues to undermine an agency which should be at the centre of our response to the unemployment crisis.”