asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will reopen the question of severance pay for ex-GNR workers who have been disemployed in the Dundalk Engineering Works, or its sister companies, since severance pay was discontinued, or in respect of any such workers who may be disemployed by future redundancy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Severance Pay for Ex-GNR Workers.
11.
The scheme of severance pay for ex-GNR workers was designed to mitigate hardship arising from redundancy in the transitional period between the dissolution of the old GNR Board and the establishment on a commercial basis of the Industrial Engineering Company and associated companies at Dundalk. When the scheme had served its purpose it was terminated on 31st November, 1961. It was made clear at that time that the workers to whom employment was afforded in the newly established companies would be employed on terms and conditions similar to those of workers in comparable employment in other companies and that no further severance payments would thereafter be made in the event of loss of employment.
Is the Minister aware that as a result of CIE removing their maintenance and repair work from Dundalk to Inchicore, there are people in Dundalk Engineering Works with 35 or 36 years' continuous service with the GNR and DEW and who are now being turned out without a penny compensation, whereas their fellows, who were made redundant earlier, received compensation?
I am not so aware. According to the information I have, eight people have become redundant; seven have secured temporary employment and one has been offered employment.
These people have not yet become redundant because of the decision but they are informed that they will be redundant. I intend to raise the matter when the Minister is present.