The announcement of 150 redundancies in this company is very regrettable and I extend my sympathies to the workers who have lost their jobs and to the families affected. I understand that the manufacturing and production operations will not be impacted. As a client of Enterprise Ireland, the Agency has had discussions with the senior management team of the company on their proposals and will be working to maintain the maximum number of jobs in Ireland. I have asked my officials to keep me updated on developments and to see how we can be of assistance.
I am informed that the proposed redundancies referred to in the question relate to back office functions. Enterprise Ireland has not directly supported these functions. Some of the staff now being made redundant may have availed of general training programmes which Enterprise Ireland supported.
There is no recourse on the grants paid out already for these training programmes as the training has been carried out and the employees have been upskilled. In that regard, the new skills are transferrable. However, no grants will be paid out on future claims related to these redundant roles.
Negotiations on enhanced redundancy are a voluntary matter between a company and its employees. Our Agencies will continue to work in a coordinated way to support those who have lost their jobs with welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling opportunities available to all impacted workers as they assess their options.
