Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1724. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on his work to access funding through the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers with respect to supporting workers at a facility (details supplied). [1517/25]
View answerThe European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) assists Member States to provide active labour market supports to workers made redundant in major restructuring events. The EGF does not provide supports directly to workers. Instead, it co-funds active labour market supports that Member States offer.
Under the EGF rules, in general, Member States may apply for EGF co-funding where at least 200 redundancies have taken place in a company in a 4-month reference period. EGF applications must specify the number of redundancies that have occurred within the reference period and must be submitted within 12 weeks of the end of that period. The announcement by Cardinal Health related to 308 redundancies over a 15-month period, commencing in April of this year. Therefore, the actual timing of the redundancies will determine if this eligibility criterion is met.
I have been advised that, since the announcement by Cardinal Health of the intention to cease operations at the Tullamore site, IDA Ireland has been actively engaged with the company, including meetings with Tullamore leadership on-site, and meetings with senior corporate leaders and is actively exploring all avenues of opportunity for the site and any impacted employees as a result of this announcement.
In addition, the relevant local agencies, including Laois Offaly ETB, the Department of Social Protection/Intreo, the IDA, Offaly Local Enterprise Office and the Regional Skills Manager, are partnering to support impacted employees. There is an established process of coordinated engagement by support agencies at a local level to provide supports to employees in consultation with the company.
The types of supports/ initiatives available from local agencies has been communicated to the site leadership and includes the following:
• Provision of a detailed skills profile for the employees on the site, which can be shared with other potential employers.
• Recruitment opportunities through identification and connection with other employers who may be hiring across the locality and wider region.
• Marketing of the property solution, when appropriate, through agents appointed by the company and by IDA Ireland through its global office network.
• Information sessions by DSP/Intreo to impacted employees on social welfare services and employment support services to support impacted employees’ transition to new employment opportunities. These information sessions are scheduled to commence at the start of next month.
• Identification and provision of training and further education opportunities for employees (ETBs; Skillnet; Universities).
• Exploring opportunities to start your own business through LEOs and Enterprise Ireland.
All relevant local agencies will continue to support and assist the impacted employees, as and when appropriate. All stakeholders are conscious that the company continues to operate with a significant workforce and that job losses will happen on a phased basis.
