Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

-----I wish to take the opportunity to provide clarity. No decision has been made by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation on the eligibility of Aer Lingus for a rebate. Discussions are continuing between both parties. That matter has not been brought to finality as of yet. In normal circumstances a recommendation is made to the Minister to determine the eligibility of a rebate following legal advice or for that matter if the issue is sent to the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The redundancy rebate and the determination as to whether it is redundancy or not is still a matter of discussion. The issue that arose with the Revenue Commissioners is their determination under their legislation as to whether those who received redundancy packages are excluded and given an exemption as a consequence of it being redundancy. That matter has not been clarified fully as of yet. I will be speaking to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment who will update people with regard to same.

On the issue of the transfer, I believe that transfer will take place to the Department of Social Protection at the beginning of next year.

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