asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction of workers with the failure of successive Governments to increase on an indexed basis the terms of the Redundancy Acts in relation to levels of compensation; the proposals, if any, he has to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments Acts.
155.
The levels of statutory lump sum payments under the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1984, are based on multiples of the wage levels of the individual workers concerned. Accordingly, the amounts of such payments increase automatically in line with increases in general wage levels. The Acts do provide for a ceiling of a maximum amount of wages to be taken into account in calculation of individual lump sum entitlements. The level of that ceiling, which has been increased from an amount of £5,000 per annum set in the Redundancy Payments Act, 1979, to £11,000 at present, is kept under review.
The Deputy will appreciate that any review of the amounts of redundancy lump sum payments must take account also of the costs for employers and for the redundancy and employers' insolvency fund.