Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

220 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will grant access to the new redundancy package to all workers of a company (details supplied) in view of the fact that she advised on her trip to the factory that anybody who could get a job before the official closing down date of the factory should do so and in the special circumstances that the workers should not be split on this hugely important issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16075/03]

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

The Redundancy Payments Act 2003 was passed into law by the Oireachtas last month. Under the Act, I have made regulations, which place the onus on employers to pay the enhanced statutory redundancy rates to employees who have been given notice of redundancy on or after 25 May 2003. Unfortunately, on advice from the Office of the Attorney General, I would not be legally entitled to place a retrospective requirement on employers to backdate redundancy payments.

My Department's records concerning statutory redundancy payments show that 62 employees of the company concerned received notice of redundancy after 25 May and accordingly are entitled to the payment of the enhanced rates under the 2003 Act. The records also show that 128 of the employees received notice of redundancy on various dates prior to 25 May 2003. Unfortunately, these employees would not be entitled to payment of the enhanced rates, which are provided for under the 2003 Act.