Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 4

Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

36 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new changes in the national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, in so far as improvements to statutory redundancy regulations are concerned; when the legislation for same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11261/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The position is that the text of the new Redundancy Payments Bill 2003 as drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel will be submitted to Government on 30 April 2003 for approval, on a priority basis, to give effect to the new enhanced redundancy payments scheme. I expect to be in a position to bring the Bill to the Oireachtas in the next Oireachtas term.

The proposed new legislation will provide: the distinction between service under and over 41 years will be removed; two weeks pay for every year of service; the bonus week will be retained; rebate of 60% to the employer will be retained; a simpler method of calculating service; changes in the treatment of absences from work; treatment of service abroad; simplification of application forms; a new IT system, including e-government aspect; and employees of insolvent companies to make claims for minimum notice entitlements under the insolvency payments scheme without having to obtain an award from the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

It is my intention to bring the increased statutory payments into effect at the earliest possible date after the Bill has been enacted.