Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 2

Written Answers. - Redundancy Statistics.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

30 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total number of redundancies reported to his Department during 1994; the comparative figures for 1993; the proposals, if any, he has for reducing the number of redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3371/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The total number of redundancies notified to my Department in 1994 was 15,224, a decrease of 16.5 per cent on the comparative figure for 1993 of 18,238.

The Government's policy agreement,A Government of Renewal, deals in detail with the economic and social environment for jobs. The programme contains specific commitments to action and support for both private and public enterprise as well as the long-term umemployed. The Government supports the Programme for Competitiveness and Work which specifically refers to amendment of the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, with a view to improving its provisions concerning consultation with employee interests about collective redundancy proposals.

The operational programmes for industrial development and human resources, which I recently announced, will, over the next five years, strengthen the long-term capability of Irish industry to help reduce job losses and provide a more long term employment base. This can be achieved through improvement of competitiveness and the encouragement of capacity expansion by firms which compete in international markets.