asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the former staff of the Camelot Hotel, Dublin 5 have, following the sale of the hotel by persons (details supplied), been left without severance pay, holiday or minimum notice pay; if he will have this matter investigated; and if he will take steps to ensure that the workers involved receive their statutory entitlements.
Written Answers. - Camelot Hotel.
81.
The employees in question have lodged claims under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973, the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, and the Redundancy Payments Acts, 1967 to 1984, with the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The claims were received between 26 November 1987 and 30 November 1987 and are listed for hearing in the latter part of January 1988.
No claims have been made under the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973 but if the employees consider that they have entitlements under this Act they should make application on the appropriate claim forms which are available from my Department.
If the employees concerned obtain favourable decisions from the tribunal in respect of their statutory redundancy claims, they should then request payment of their lump sums from the employer. If he refuses or fails to make payment within a reasonable time, they should then apply to my Department on form RP14 for payment direct from the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund. The necessary forms are available on request.
It is matter for the employer in the first instance to pay a minimum notice award determined by the Employment Appeals Tribunal in favour of an employee but if the employer fails to pay, the employee should contact the Conditions of Employment Section of my Department which will take the appropriate action under the Act to secure payment for the employee. If, however, the employer's failure to pay is because of insolvency, application can be made to my Department for payment from the Redundancy and Employers' Insolvency Fund under the terms of the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984. Such applications must, in the case of employees of an insolvent company, be submitted to my Department through the liquidator or receiver, as appropriate, of that company.