The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that a youth training programme run out of a centre at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Co Louth is to cease at the end of the month.
The FAI has said the decision has been taken following discussions between it and the Louth Meath Education Training Board (LMETB).
SIPTU members employed by the FAI have said the closure will result in the loss of two community development officer roles and it also leaves 28 trainees without a development programme, which was due to commence next week.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield has condemned the decision by the FAI and said it is a case of the organisation "pulling up the supports for grassroots football".
He said: "This is the third such training centre to be closed in a manner that runs counter to the supposed strategy of the organisation to support grassroots football.
"It doesn't make any economic sense either, as 95% of the cost of this scheme was funded by the local Education and Training Board. It was a social intervention scheme aimed at helping young people develop their footballing and educational skills," Mr Purfield added.
Meanwhile, SIPTU Organiser, Hugh Kennedy, said the decision also highlights the "lack of meaningful engagement by the FAI with both staff and communities who depend on these programmes".
He added: "The closure not only impacts workers but also undermines opportunities for young people in Dundalk and across the region.
"The move would also seem to be contradictory to the FAI's recent education strategy 2025, which seeks to live up to the aim of where there is football there is education and where there is education there is football.
"These trainees will have also turned down other opportunities to take courses or other educational programmes. It is highly disrespectful way to treat these young people and the FAI staff."
Mr Kennedy added: "Our members are also still awaiting the sight of the so-called FAI Transformation Plan, which includes a number of threatened redundancies. This represents a serious breakdown in trust and accountability in what is a mainly government funded body."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the FAI confirmed the decision had been taken to end the youth development programme at Oriel Park.
They said: "Following discussions between the Football Association of Ireland and LMETB (Louth Meath Education Training Board), the FAI-ETB Player Development Programme in Dundalk will cease operating on 31st October 2025.
"A consultation process is already underway with the two FAI staff members impacted by the conclusion of this programme.
"All other FAI-ETB Player Development Programmes will continue as normal."
SIPTU workers and union organisers were expected to raise the situation during a meeting with the Chair of the Oireachtas Sports Committee, Alan Kelly today.
