Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 October 2020
27. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an early warning system for large-scale redundancies is in operation within his Department; and the way in which it operates. [25949/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates an early warning system through which the enterprise agencies (Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland) notify the Department when they become aware of any significant issue arising for client companies that could impact their business in Ireland.
It should be noted that there is no obligation, legal or otherwise, on client companies to provide an Early Warning Report (EWR) to the enterprise agencies. However, both IDA and EI work hard to maintain close working relationships and strong channels of communication with their client companies which facilitates the operation of this system.
Once received, the EWR is treated as highly confidential and circulated to myself and a small list of individuals in my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach. The report may also be shared, when necessary, with officials from other Departments.
While there is no obligation on companies to provide EWRs to the enterprise agencies, employers are legally obliged to notify the Minister for of Employment Affairs and Social Protection of proposed collective redundancies.
