asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there will be very considerable redundancy at the Carlow plant of the Irish Sugar Company in the near future; and that such redundancy will affect an area of some twenty-five miles radius from Carlow; whether there are any plans to absorb the employees who will be rendered redundant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundancy at Carlow Sugar Factory.
28.
I understand from Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. that, apart from workers who are normally employed on a temporary basis at this time of the year for the beet campaign, some redundancy has been occurring at the company's Carlow factory. Among the reasons for this are a reduction in the refining of imported raw sugar at Carlow and the completion earlier this year of a substantial contract secured by the company last year for the refining of sugar for export; increased mechanisation of sugar packing; a decline in sales of some products, and the completion of a number of building projects at the factory. The company has informed me that all employees concerned were advised a considerable time ago and that every effort was made by the company to absorb the redundant employees and to continue their employment for as long as possible.
Would the Minister not consider employing these people in the duties he has now allocated to the BTE personnel in certain offices in the issuing of thousands of Christmas cards until such time as they can continue the work they have been doing in the issuing of blue cards?
That is an entirely different matter.
I have no information that the BTE officials were dealing with Christmas cards.
Mind the day-old chicks.
Keep to your Galway fisheries.
The golden eggs.