A FRESH ROUND of job losses are ahead of the Football Association of Ireland as they have released a press statement boasting of a ‘significant transformation programme.’

A voluntary redundancy programme will be in place across the organisation with the loss of jobs a formality.

Among the careful corporate wording and framing of the statement, it is noted that, ‘The findings make it clear that the Association does not currently have the required framework and specific skillsets to implement vital strategies (including the FAI Football Pathways Plan) and to meet the evolving needs of Irish football – at all levels of the game.’

The full statements reads as follows;

‘The Board of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have approved the commencement of a significant transformation programme to modernise how football is developed and delivered in Ireland.

‘The Association thanks staff for their understanding, hard work and commitment, especially during this period of significant change and will provide the appropriate supports to staff during this process.

‘The restructure will commence in the coming days with the launch of a voluntary redundancy programme across the organisation. Once completed, the Association will then assess progress against its long-term vision and move forward with a phase of redeployment before confirming the number of compulsory redundancies required.

‘These changes are designed to modernise how Irish football is delivered will enable the Association to:

•     Align directly with future strategic objectives

•     Accelerate internal culture change & introduce specialist skillsets

•     Deliver increased financial sustainability

‘The transformation programme is informed by extensive research including, UEFA benchmarking, and has been shaped with the benefit of external guidance from specialist consultancy firms. The findings make it clear that the Association does not currently have the required framework and specific skillsets to implement vital strategies (including the FAI Football Pathways Plan) and to meet the evolving needs of Irish football – at all levels of the game.

‘The Association must undertake this process to ensure that all clubs, communities and counties around the country are best served and that Irish football can create a playing culture and pathway to compete as a nation, provide positive participation experiences for all, and continue to develop the game at a local, regional, national and international level.

‘While the Association has met on multiple occasions with SIPTU officials  – who represent a portion of our staff – the Senior Leadership Team remain committed to keeping all staff fully informed. Following the Board decision, a staff meeting took place on Wednesday, August 27th to offer further information as the transformation gets underway.’