asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that employees of a firm in Bray, County Wicklow (name supplied) have been informed that the firm will close next month; and whether or not alternative employment will be available for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closure of Bray Firm.
13.
I am aware of the position of the firm in question. I understand that the Employment Service of the Department of Labour is keeping in close touch with the situation with a view to giving all possible assistance in placing the workers in suitable alternative employment.
Is the Minister aware that a great deal of the work of this concern has been printing for the Stationery Office, and would the Government, in view of that, take steps to ensure that the concern continues to operate by giving it assistance by way of grant or other contracts which would help it to continue to function?
I do not think I could accept the suggestion in the first part of the Deputy's supplementary question that a contract be given on a preferential basis to this firm. Apart from the objections to that, my information is that the reasons for the possible closing of the firm are not business reasons but rather personal reasons in connection with the proprietors.
Can the Minister say how many of the employees will receive redundancy or other compensation?
That is a separate question.
I understand that 13 will qualify for redundancy payments.
Out of?
Out of 15.
Can the Minister give any indication as to where he hopes they will get alternative employment, as there may be difficulty in having them employed, for instance, in the Dublin region?
I cannot say positively, but the indications are that there should be reasonable opportunities for some of them certainly in Bray itself.
In the same line of business?
Yes.
The Minister I suppose, is aware that there is a chronic degree of unemployment in Bray and the whole Wicklow region?
The Minister is not so aware, and in particular, he is not so aware in regard to this particular line of business.
I hope the Minister will become aware in the next few weeks and do something about it.