Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
54. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the interactions he and his Department have had with the employees who have recently lost their jobs in a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26456/23]
View answer55. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the interactions he and his Department have had with the employees who have recently lost their jobs in a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26457/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
Firstly, I want to express my sympathy to all workers facing redundancy. My Department has received correspondence from and on behalf of employees affected by these redundancies, and I appreciate that this is a very difficult situation for them.
Under the Protection of Employment Act 1977, an employer proposing a collective redundancy is obliged to engage in an information and consultation process of at least 30 days with employees’ representatives. Consultations must take place at least 30 days before the first notice of dismissal is made and the law requires employers to engage in a consultation process with a view to reaching an agreement.
The companies in question are IDA client companies. Where its client companies are reducing headcount through redundancies, IDA Ireland, as a matter of course, works with those companies to understand the skills profile of impacted staff. Those profiles are then shared with clients of both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland that are hiring and may be looking for similar skills.
The State also supports all workers who face job losses through the Intreo service of the Department of Social Protection who can assist in relation to income and employment supports where needed, including helping with appropriate training and development opportunities.
