Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she has taken to help reduce the number of job losses at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9278/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out five stages for unlocking the restrictions put in place to contain the Coronavirus, at three week intervals. The Roadmap sets out how we can keep the level of transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible while balancing continuing restrictions in proportion with the positive social and economic benefits which will be brought about by businesses reopening. It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in Phases 2 to 5 of the Roadmap will be guided by the public health advice at the time.
The efforts by all countries to reduce the rates of transmission is impacting the travel and tourism-related industries most acutely. I know this is a challenging and uncertain time for all the workers in the airline industry who have lost their jobs. I fully appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families.
That is why my colleagues the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, announced on 20th May the formation of a special Tourism Recovery Taskforce dedicated to spearheading economic recovery for the tourism sector, with an independent chairperson, Ruth Andrews, Chair of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation. I note also that the membership of the Taskforce includes Stephen Kavanagh, Board member and former CEO of Aer Lingus, together with the CEOs of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The Taskforce is charged with preparing a Tourism Recovery Plan for submission to the Minister which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce may consult with stakeholders to inform its deliberations and report back to the Minister in Q3 of this year.
Full details of all Government supports for workers at this time are available at www.gov.ie, including details on the COVID-19 Income Support Scheme. My Department has agreed a Job Loss Response Protocol with the Department of Employment and Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills. In this situation of job losses and redundancies, my colleague the Minister Regina Doherty and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is the lead Minister and Department. The protocol puts in place all the efforts to assist the workers who are going to lose their jobs. It includes welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling needs/opportunities.
This also includes managing relationships with staff unions. The principal actors are the local DEASP officers and local Education and Training Boards. Local staff from Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Local Enterprise Offices have a role in providing intelligence about which local firms are looking for particular skills.
My colleague, Minister Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport may be able to provide a more specific response to your query as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have primary responsibility for the aviation sector.
