asked the Minister for Labour whether the employees of a firm (name supplied) in Galway qualified for compensation when they became redundant; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Redundant Workers.
64.
The employees of the firm in question did not qualify for redundancy payments when they became redundant. In an appeal submitted by one of the employees, which was taken as a test-case, the Redundancy Appeals Tribunal decided that the employee had not been employed by the firm for the period of 208 weeks which is necessary to qualify under the Redundancy Payments Scheme. Under the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967, the decision of the Appeals Tribunal is final and conclusive except that any person dissatisfied with the decision may appeal therefrom to the High Court on a question of law.
65.
asked the Minister for Labour (a) the number of workers declared redundant recently in Athlone, (b) what are the prospects of work for them and (c) the prospects for industrial training.
The number of workers involved was 260.
The prospects of new employment in the Athlone area depend on the success of efforts to attract new industries to the town. The prospects of work in a number of other areas of the country are good and the workers concerned are eligible for benefit under the resettlement allowances scheme if they move to employment elsewhere in the country.
I am informed by AnCO that industrial training can be provided for the workers who are suitable for retraining and interested in it, at the training centres at Shannon, Waterford and Galway.