asked the Minister for Labour if he will state, having regard to the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Scheme, (a) the number and names of firms that have made lump sum payments to qualified redundant employees, (b) the amount paid to each worker and the number of workers concerned in each case and (c) the number of cases in which a bonus of 2½ per cent of the lump sum was added to the employer's rebate in respect of each extra week of notice given in excess of the minimum period.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundancy Payments.
26.
The number of employers who had paid lump sums to qualified employees under the Redundancy Payments Act at 30th June, 1968, was approximately 380. I do not consider that it would be desirable for me to give a list of such employers as this could be construed as a breach of confidence about their private affairs.
There would be a considerable amount of work involved, which I do not think would be warranted, in extracting details of the amount paid to each worker and the number of workers dismissed by each employer.
Of the rebate claims paid to 30th June, bonuses of 2½ per cent or higher in excess of the standard rate of 50 per cent have been allowed in 83 cases.
27.
asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that certain employers who prior to 1968 negotiated and agreed with trade unions special redundancy payments schemes in respect of their employees, are now contending that any lump sum payment which they make in accordance with the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967 shall be deducted from any special payments; and if he will clearly state the provisions of the Act in this matter.
My attention has been drawn to one case in which a difficulty of the type mentioned in the Deputy's question has arisen.
There is no provision in the Redundancy Payments Act dealing with the question of off-setting payments required to be made under the Act against payments claimed to be due under any other arrangement or agreement. The question of such offsets is, therefore, a matter for determination in the light of the provisions of any relevant agreement.
28.
asked the Minister for Labour the up-to-date position in the matter of providing a special redundancy payments scheme for building workers who are employed within the State.
29.
asked the Minister for Labour the up-to-date position in the matter of providing a special redundancy payments scheme for dockers employed at the various ports within the State.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
In a reply to questions tabled by the Deputy on 1st February, 1968, I indicated that I had established two committees, consisting of representatives of workers and employers and of my Department, to examine the feasibility of special redundancy schemes for building workers and dock workers. To date, I have not received a final report from either of these committees, but I understand that they are continuing to examine the problems involved. Meanwhile, of course, both these categories of workers are covered by the provisions of the main Redundancy Payments Scheme.