asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the great hardship the proposed closure of two CIE departments at Waterford city station will mean to the workers employed there as they will have to get alternative housing or leave their families if transferred or if they refuse to transfer they will be paid off without compensation; and if he will take steps to ensure that the proposed closure will not take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closure of Waterford CIE Departments.
7.
I am informed by CIE that the closure of the Waterford/ Mallow line will result in a reduction in the requirements for maintenance of railway rolling stock at Waterford and the staff employed on this activity is being reduced from 28 to 11.
The employment of three of the redundant men will be terminated but they will be entitled to redundancy compensation under the Transport Act, 1964. Three others who have been employed in a temporary capacity and have less than three years' service will be paid off and will not qualify for redundancy compensation. Of the eleven other redundant persons, four are being given alternative employment by the Board in Waterford. The remaining seven are being transferred by the Board to other locations and any of these men who are married will be paid certain transfer expenses and will be entitled to free transport for themselves, their families and their household effects in accordance with the terms of an agreement with the trade unions. In addition, any man who is transferred to another location and thereby suffers a worsening of his conditions of service, as defined in section 37 of the Transport Act, 1950, will be entitled to claim compensation from the Board.
The Waterford/Mallow line is being closed by CIE under the powers conferred upon them by legislation and I see no grounds for interfering with the Board's decision.