asked the Minister for Labour if notice money payable on the closure of a company is payable to those who are in receipt of sickness benefit at the time of closure; and, if not, if he will consider amending the appropriate legislation.
Written Answers. - Company Closure.
268.
The Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973, provides that during a period of notice an employee shall be paid by his employer in respect of any time during his normal working hours when he is ready and willing to work, even in situations where no work is provided. If, through illness, an employee is not available for work, the employer is not obliged to pay him.
Should the closure of a company take place while an employee is absent on sick leave, he would be due compensation for any notice due to him over and above the period covered by his sick leave.
I will have the point raised by the Deputy looked at further in the context of a review of the Act.