asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the hardship caused to employees of a factory (name supplied) at Saggart, County Dublin, by the laying-off of employees, many of whom have long service; if the Government has any function or authority in regard to the parent company (name supplied); and if he will outline any steps which are open to him to alleviate the distress caused by this lay-off.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Factory Lay-Off.
46.
I am aware that a number of employees of the company named have been laid-off. I understand, however, that this is a temporary measure arising from a recession in the British market. Depending on the duration of the lay-off, the workers involved would qualify for redundancy payments under certain conditions.
The Government has no function or authority in regard to the parent company save that applicable to all businesses under company law.
Could I ask the Minister under what conditions is redundancy payment made? I understand there are some difficulties about this because people do not want to resign from their position lest they lose some money.
No question of redundancy payment can arise until an employee has been laid off or kept on short time, or both, either for four consecutive weeks or a broken period of six weeks in which all six fall within a 30-week period.