Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 4

Written Answers - Award Payment.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

91 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she has taken to ensure payment of an award made by the Employment Appeals Tribunal (details supplied); the position in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10934/01]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

The case under reference was the subject of a determination of the Employment Appeals Tribunal last year in which the tribunal granted an award to the employee in question under the Unfair Dismissals Acts, 1977 to 1993.

Representations were made to my Department by the employee's trade union in July 2000 advising of non-payment by the employee's employer of the EAT award. Following examination of the determination it became clear that an error appeared on the original determination relating to the title of the respondent company. A correcting order was obtained by the employee concerned citing the correct title of the company. At that stage my Department followed up on the representations received by writing to the employer to request that payment to the employee be effected within a 14 day timeframe. On subsequently hearing that payment had not been made to the employee concerned within this timeframe, my Department, in January 2001, referred the matter to the Chief State Solicitor's office for the institution of legal proceedings against the employer.

Legal advice on the enforcement of the award is expected shortly from the Chief State Solicitor's office and at that stage my officials will be in direct contact with the employee concerned.