Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2012
121 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will detail the discussions he has had with regard to the European Globalisation Fund; and the sectors he is targeting for additional support. [4132/12]
View answerDiscussions on relevant issues related to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) are held on a regular basis between the Department and the European Commission. The discussions held may be in the context of scheduled reviews and evaluations as required under the EGF Regulation or on a case-by-case basis in relation to specific Irish EGF applications.
In terms of assessing potential future EGF applications, the Department monitors statutory collective redundancy notifications, maintains contact with relevant Government Departments with responsibility for particular sectoral interests and monitors news and media sources, forecasts and other relevant sources of information, including through the political system. The primary aim of this monitoring is to assess whether sufficient grounds exist to make a sustainable EGF application in respect of redundant workers in a particular company or on a sectoral basis.
Where the initial view is taken that a potential EGF application may be made, the Department commences detailed preparatory work to ensure that all relevant EGF regulatory criteria are met. As part of this process various levels of interaction with key stakeholders and service providers are required. As a result of this process, the next EGF application which is to be made by the Department will be in support of almost 600 redundant workers at the Talk Talk company in Waterford and a number of ancillary enterprises.
