asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that redundant workers of a mining concern (name supplied) who had not less than four years service in that employment were not given the two weeks notice of proposed dismissal as required by the Redundancy Payments Act, 1967; and if he will ensure that the workers so affected will now receive payments which they should have received in lieu of adequate notice of dismissal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundant Mine Workers.
18.
There is no provision in the Redundancy Payments Act for payments in lieu of notice.
Is it not true to say that there are provisions for notice in the Redundancy Payments Act, and if there are, surely there should be some regulation covering people who do not comply with the required notice?
The provision is for two weeks notice with incentives to make it longer in the case of the payment of the lump sum, but there is no provision for payment in lieu of notice. The provision for payment in lieu of notice is not applicable in this case because I understand they got the statutory week's notice of dismissal. There is no provision for payment.
Can the Minister say what is the statutory week's notice? What Statute is it in? I am quite sure there is no such thing.
It might be customary but——
It is common practice.
Is it a fact that the Redundancy Payments Act provides for two weeks notice in certain cases but where employers fail to give that notice there is no comeback?
There is no payment in lieu of that notice. There is a requirement of two weeks notice with incentives to the employer which is based on the amount of money he is paid from a redundancy fund towards the lump sum he owes the employee, according to the amount of notice he gives. There is nothing for the employee to get in lieu of notice.
19.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will ensure that the payments under the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1961, due to redundant workers of a mining concern will be paid without further delay.
The matter is at present being investigated.
Will the Minister expedite the matter?
I think the investigation is fairly well advanced but I do not know when I could give an answer.