asked the Minister for Labour why the employment subsidy scheme has not been paid to a company (details supplied) in respect of all its 1,400 workers, now that the company is in severe financial trouble.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Schemes.
3.
asked the Minister for Labour if an application under the employment maintenance scheme was made by a company (details supplied) and if so would he state the sums sought and the sums paid to that company, and if he will make a statement on the mater.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. together.
Payment of £137,575 has been made to the company in question under the employment maintenance scheme for the 34 weeks up to 24 November 1978 against claims totalling £197,400. The sum paid was calculated on the basis of the numbers of workers employed by it in the industry comprehended by the scheme over that 34-week period less a figure representing declared redundancies.
The basis of the calculation has been conveyed to the company and it has been informed that I am prepared to consider any arguments advanced by it as to why the deduction referred to should not apply, bearing in mind of course that the purpose of the scheme is to maintain existing jobs against the danger of the redundancies.
Discussions are, in fact, taking place in this connection.