asked the Minister for Labour the action he can take to ensure the implementation of the Labour Court decision in respect of the 300 former workers of IMP, Leixlip, County Kildare; when the redundancy moneys can be paid; if there is any reason for the delay with payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Leixlip (Kildare) Redundancy Payments.
108.
The payment of extra-statutory redundancy to former employees of Irish Meat Producers Limited (Leixlip) has been the subject of an investigation by the Labour Court, which issued a recommendation in the matter on 8 June 1986. This recommendation is not, however, binding on either party. Its implementation is a matter for the parties. I understand that the union involved has accepted the recommendation and has so informed the company. There is no action open to me as Minister for Labour to ensure that recommendations of the court are accepted and implemented.
In regard to the statutory redundancy entitlements of workers in this company, the position is that the company notified my Department that it was intended to make 267 workers redundant on different dates in March 1986. Since then, according to claims for rebate submitted to my Department, the company paid redundancy lump sums to 41 employees whose employment was terminated in March 1986. A further nine employees made redundant at the same time have made application for payment of their redundancy lump sums from the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund on the grounds that the company was unable to pay them. My Department is in correspondence with the company about its failure to pay these nine workers' entitlements. If the company satisfies my Department of its inability to pay, the Department will arrange for payment of the redundancy entitlements of the nine workers concerned. I hope that payments will be made either by the company or from the Fund within about two weeks.
No application has been made to my Department in relation to the 217 other workers concerned. My Department understands that the claims for statutory redundancy lump sums have not been pursued pending clarification of the claims for extra-statutory payments. The Deputy can be assured that any further claims for statutory lump sums not paid by the employer will be dealt with by my Department as quickly as possible.