Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Redundancy Payments Legislation.

Toddy O'Sullivan

Ceist:

65 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour if he is prepared to amend the redundancy payments Acts so as to create options and incentives for redeployment and work-sharing as an alternative to redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. Cowen)

Under the redundancy payments Acts, eligible workers have a statutory right to redundancy payments where a redundancy situation is declared.

If workers or their representatives are anxious to explore other options or alternatives to redundancy, such as work-sharing or redeployment, they are free to do so.

If the numbers involved come within the scope of the Protection of Employment Act, 1977 there is a statutory obligation on the employer to consult with the workers' representatives, at least 30 days beforehand, to consider ways and means of avoiding redundancies, reducing their number or minimising the consequences for the workers affected.

I would, of course, welcome any moves taken to avoid redundancies. It does not however seem to me that the kind of activities envisaged in the Deputy's question are in any way hampered by the redundancy payments Acts and, in the circumstances, the need to amend the Acts does not arise.