Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 2

Written Answers. - Aer Lingus Staff.

Ivor Callely

Question:

28 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 19 May 1999, the position for Aer Lingus workers who were on secondment to TEAM and now need to be appropriately placed in a special line of work in order to renew their licence; the number of Aer Lingus workers not suitably placed and who would experience problems in renewing their licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16301/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I have been advised by Aer Lingus that of the 91 TEAM staff who did not accept terms for the transfer of their employment to FLS Aerospace, 30 have licences issued by the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, and 20 have "approvals" which is a craft qualification granted by the airline on the basis of satisfying company criteria.

In relation to the staff who hold licences from the IAA, 22 have been placed in technical jobs matching their skills while one is on long-term sick leave and another seven have been placed in non-technical posts in the airline. The licences of those seven staff are not due to expire until next winter. I understand from Aer Lingus that they will continue their efforts to place these staff in technical positions prior to the expiry of their licences.

With regard to the 20 staff holding "approvals" issued by Aer Lingus, four have been placed in technical posts in the airline. Of the remaining staff, 15 are in non-technical posts in the airline and one staff member is on long-term sick leave. The process for renewal of "approvals" is a mat ter for Aer Lingus. However, I understand that the renewal process is a relatively straightforward one provided the employee concerned had the original qualification.