Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I extend my sympathies to the workers in National Pen who have lost their jobs. I appreciate fully how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families. Please be assured that Government supports are in place to help them through this time. I am especially aware also that at a time when mobility is restricted, employees do not have the same easy access to their support networks and representatives. I wanted to just say that.

The IDA is working very closely with the company.

Obviously, there is a process here but the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will be there to provide all the supports it can to those workers. The Deputy asked about the alert. The alert is made now directly to the Department of Employment and Social Protection. Then it was advised to my Department. I got notification from IDA Ireland as well about the matter because it is doing everything it can to assist.

The Deputy mentioned the HSA. The HSA protocols have been drawn up in collaboration with the employers' groups and the unions. I thank ICTU, IBEC, Chambers Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation, all of which came together to make sure that all of the issues that had been brought to their attention were included in this protocol. The protocol is about how we can given confidence to the employees that it is safe to go back and to the employers that they are putting the right processes in place to protect their workers. The Deputy will accept that there were many employers that closed down early. They did not have to close down but they were concerned about their workers. We must acknowledge, too, that there will be many employers and employees who will work together and find the right solution. At the end of the day most people want to get back to work and want to get back to normality.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that the HSA will have the necessary powers to take action in cases where it must take action. Initially, they want to work with the employers because there are new processes here that they have not had to comply with previously. I would say, "Work together first," but if there are issues where there is non-compliance, the HSA has the full powers to apply to Covid-19 situations as it has to any other situation.

The Deputy asked me about staff. The HSA will get more resources. If the authority needs more funding or staff, there are staff in other Departments and other agencies that can be moved over to work with the HSA. It is about working together on this matter.

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