Vol. 197 No. 7
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state with reference to the period 1st January 1959 to 1st November 1962 (a) the total number of workers rendered redundant by CIE, (b) the number of such workers who obtained alternative employment within the Company, (c) the number who received compensation, (d) the number who neither received compensation nor obtained alternative employment from the Company, and (e) the net amount of money saved by the Company through redundancy.
23.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of employees of Córas Iompair Éireann declared redundant from 1st October 1958 to date, and the number of such employees who received compensation in the form of (a) weekly payments and (b) a lump sum.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose taking Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
I am informed by CIE that the number of employees who received compensation in consequence of the termination of their employment with CIE during the period 1st October, 1958 to 1st November, 1962, was 976; of this number 928 were awarded compensation in the form of an annual sum and 48 by way of lump sum.
In addition, 516 employees received lump sum compensation for worsening of conditions on transfer, following redundancy.
The total number of workers included in the foregoing who received compensation in consequence of the termination of their employment with CIE during the period 1st January, 1959, to 1st November, 1962 was 850.
CIE have informed me that it is not possible to segregate from their records, which include transfers and dismissals of all kinds, particulars of the numbers of short service and other employees who were either transferred or dismissed without entitlement to compensation because of permanent redundancy.
The continuing reorganisation of the undertaking has achieved economies in equipment, operating and maintenance costs as well as in labour, and it is not possible to segregate savings due to redundancy alone. The overall reductions in expenditure have been reflected in the Board's accounts.
Would the Minister say whether or not, in his opinion, consultations with the trade unions were desirable before redundancy was declared?
If the Deputy cares to ask a question about the matter, I can give him very explicit information about the consultation that does take place in the case to which the Deputy referred previously in the matter of the works at Spa Road. The consultations began as long ago as 1959. In June, 1961, the Trade Unions were given full information on the way in which redundancy would be carried out.
My information is that the Minister is incorrect. Is he aware that the trade unions in respect of the redundancies in Cork and Dublin were merely notified on 2nd of this month that 130 workers were declared redundant and without any prior consultation?
In view of the importance of maintaining proper relations with trade union workers in relation to redundancy, I had the matter inquired into and I can assure the Deputy that he is being wrongly informed.
I can depend only on the information given to me by the trade union group wherein they state that there was no consultation.
I should be glad if the Deputy himself would check.
I did check.
Would the Minister regard it as being advisable to withdraw gatekeepers from a railway line whilst trains are still running? Considerable danger is being caused at the moment on the line between Bandon and Cork where trains are operating because of gates being left open and gatekeepers withdrawn.
I have no information on that.
Is the Minister aware that officers of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions within recent months have been refused information in connection with this matter?
I am not so aware.
Somebody must be wrong and I suggest that the Minister should undertake to investigate the matter further.
