Vol. 445 No. 6
218 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will give an analysis of awards made in unfair dismissal cases by the Employment Appeals Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the general perception that the awards do not compensate for the loss of employment. [438/94]
The most recent analysis of awards made in unfair dismissal cases referred to the Employment Appeals Tribunal is contained in the annual report of the tribunal for the year 1993 a copy of which has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.
I am not aware of the perception, to which the Deputy refers, that the awards do not compensate for the loss of employment.
Where the tribunal finds that an unfair dismissal has taken place and it is decided that payment of compensation is appropriate, all the factors relevant to that particular case are taken into consideration in the making of such a determination.
The Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, provides that an award to be paid by an employer to an employee may not exceed 104 weeks remuneration and that regard must be had to the financial loss, actual or prospective, suffered by the employee.
Any concerned party may appeal to the Circuit Court for a determination of the tribunal in relation to a claim for redress under the Act.
