Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
154 Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to apply to the European Globalisation Fund and European Social Fund for assistance in respect of TalkTalk workers; the levels of support that he will give to assist redundant workers in TalkTalk Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraEuropean Globalisation Fund: My Department is currently investigating whether all the relevant criteria have been met in conformity with EGF Regulations 1927/2006 and 546/2009 to enable the Irish authorities to make a sustainable application to the European Commission for EGF co-financing of active labour market measures in support of workers being made redundant at the TalkTalk company in Co. Waterford.
In particular, an understanding and explanation of the precise reasons for the proposed redundancies and the total number of persons being made redundant, including any transfers to related employment elsewhere in the EU, are required in the context of the rules governing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. All relevant avenues of information are being pursued by officials in my Department in this regard.
European Social Fund:
I understand that whilst FÁS may provide tailored training programmes (which may be part-funded by the European Social Fund) in respect of particular groups of redundant workers, the European Social Fund itself is not designed to make specific interventions such as may be envisaged in the case of the TalkTalk workforce.
Assistance to be supplied by FÁS:
FÁS has made the following services available to TalkTalk employees:—
Top level agreement with the company on responsibilities and actions. (Meeting with the Company took place on Friday, 9th September.)
Presentations to all redundant workers on FÁS services, interventions and supports.
Preparation of a ‘Skills Analysis Report' by FÁS based on identified workers' needs and local opportunities.
Referral by FÁS of redundant workers to jobs, training courses or other options.
Establishment by FÁS of special or customised courses where necessary.
On-going support and action to keep redundant workers ‘in touch with the labour market'.
Following the internal company consultation process, which will commence immediately, FÁS Employment Services staff will meet with TalkTalk management and staff representatives, and formulate a plan of action to deliver FÁS services and supports to all staff being made redundant in Autumn 2011. Such services and supports will include:—
On-site presentations to all staff on FÁS services and supports.
Advice on setting up a resource centre, in-house, (to facilitate staff in the career guidance needs and job search activities).
Provision of a range of pre-redundancy and where necessary post-redundancy training courses to assist all staff in achieving relevant skills updating, which in turn will enable them to competitively compete in the labour market.
Assistance to be supplied by Skillnets:
Skillnets Ltd, through 2 of its networks has, since 9th September being engaging with TalkTalk in Waterford. The 2 networks are Waterford Chamber Skillnet, who are a mixed sector regional network based in the Waterford area and the Contact Centre Management Association Skillnet, which covers the Contact and Call Centre sector in Ireland.
The initial objective of this engagement is for these networks to identify the training needs of the workforce in order to devise a plan of action that can assist them in their search for new employment. This might involve upskilling their current contact centre skills and/or providing training opportunities to enable them to apply for jobs in other sectors.
This action plan will form the basis of an application for funding to Skillnets Ltd. It is expected that a decision on this funding will be made by the end of September.
Contact Centre Management Association Skillnet, along with its member companies held a Jobfair on Wednesday 14th September to advertise c. 150 job vacancies to TalkTalk staff. Skillnets Ltd is liaising with FÁS to ensure a joint approach to the significant challenges facing the TalkTalk workforce. Joint briefing sessions have been organised for TalkTalk staff on October 20th-22nd.
