Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - Employment Protection Unit.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

The powers and functions of the proposed Employment Protection Unit are the subject of wideranging consultations between my Department, various State agencies and the social partners. These consultations are designed, firstly, to assemble all relevant information about services already available which can assist firms in difficulty with a view to the preservation of employment and to identify areas in which additional services might be provided. Secondly, the consultations are aimed at canvassing and discussing ideas and suggestions as to how the new Employment Protection Unit should operate in close liasion with — but not duplicating — facilities offered by other bodies.

The series of consultations will be concluded very shortly. I will then consider, in the light of all information and ideas which have emerged, not only from those consultations but also from inquiries about procedures in operation in other countries, what the powers and the functions should be.

I do not anticipate that legislation will be required, at least in the initial stages of operation of the unit.

I am fully conscious of the need to establish the Employment Protection Unit as quickly as possible and the whole matter is one of priority for my Department. At the same time, I believe that the unit should be established after prior research and careful planning so as to ensure its effectiveness as an instrument in helping to save jobs at risk.

Finally, I should stress that until such time as the unit is formally established — and that will not be very long delayed — the services of my Department and the relevant State agencies are available to provide all possible advice and assistance to firms which may find themselves in difficulties with consequential threats to employment.