asked the Minister for Labour the reason there was a reduction in the redundancy payments made to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments Reduction.
355.
I understand that the firm by which the person concerned was employed is now in receivership and that the receiver has indicated that the firm has not sufficient funds to pay the statutory redundancy lump sums to its employees. In such a situation, where because of insolvency an employer is unable to pay a redundancy lump sum, it may be paid by my Department from the Redundancy Fund on receipt of an application from the employee concerned. I understand that the receiver has explained the procedures for claiming lump sums from the Redundancy Fund to the former employees.
Claims for payment of lump sums from the fund have been received by my Department from the receiver on behalf of other former employees of the same firm and payments have been made. No such claim has been made by or on behalf of the person concerned in the question. If he submits such a claim to my Department, it will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
I should add, however, that on the information available to me from the receiver, the person concerned may not have had the requisite minimum qualifying service of two years to qualify for redundancy payment.