Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our first thoughts are with the families affected. Some 180 people have lost their jobs as a result of this. Our response plan was put into place immediately after the liquidator was appointed. It was put into place on Monday but the process started over the weekend. The emergency response plan was put in place by our teams in Dundalk. As the Deputy correctly pointed out, the first issue is that the affected employees quickly receive access to all income supports that are available. These will be provided, as will job opportunities. The agencies have been informed of the situation with regard to any job opportunities for people who have been affected by this. In addition, they will get priority in the area of education and training.

We have acted very quickly on this, as has the Intreo team in Dundalk. The team met the workers on Monday afternoon at Ballymascanlon House Hotel. The priority was to expedite payments and to offer help and assistance with registration for the public services card and so forth. As I said earlier, an information and recruitment event will take place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 1 November next between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. That is important because all agencies will be attending the event, including the education and training board, Dundalk IT, the local enterprise offices, the National Learning Network, the Revenue Commissioners, the Money Advice & Budgeting Service and the Citizens Information service, to help and assist the people who have found themselves in this unpredictable situation. We will ensure-----

See this speech in context