25th February 2014
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O’Brien
Cork North Central TD, Jonathan O’Brien has “expressed his disappointment”, and concern at the news that the Gurranabraher & Knocknaheeny Training Centre is to close with effect from 28th February.
Speaking today, Deputy O’Brien said that it was vitally important that training opportunities for the Northside Community are not reduced as a consequence of this decision.
“The Gurranabraher & Knocknaheeny Training Centre has been engaged in the provision of training services to the local community since 1985, and thousands of people have used its services over the years.”
“The news of the closure comes as a shock, and as a disappointment. There is, from my experience, huge demand for training, and retraining in these companies, as people seek to find employment. I cannot understand how the situation has arisen that it is being closed.
“It will also, no doubt have come as a considerable shock to the staff, who are only today learning of the closure, and it is possible that some of them may be made redundant. I wish to express my sympathy with them at this worrying time.”
“I have sought a meeting with the VEC in order to discuss this closure, and its implications for training opportunities in the Northside, as well as its implications for the staff.”
“The area in which this centre operates suffers from high unemployment and considerable disadvantage. Recent years have seen the Northside lose many vital services and amenities, and I fear that this may represent another significant blow to the community.”