andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what progress has been made since a reply of 14th February in relation to plans for retraining and resettlement schemes for those rendered redundant by recent or proposed changes in industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retraining of Redundant Workers.
18.
The Committees to which I referred in replying to previous questions on this subject have not yet submitted their reports.
What is the position in the meantime? While grants are being paid out to particular companies to modernise their factories, their workers are being laid off. What steps are being taken to give alternative employment to those workers in factories which will receive substantial grants?
I have no evidence that workers are being laid off in large numbers on account of reorganisation. In any event, this Committee will be completing its report in a short time.
May I ask if the Department responsible for giving grants to factories or industries for modernisation purposes, when such grants have been sanctioned and approved for a particular factory, place any onus on that factory to ensure that workers who will become disemployed will be compensated or receive alternative employment? Is there any such regulation in force at the moment?
It is a matter for consultation between the unions and the employers.
So they are throwing it over now on to the trade unions.