Dáil debates

Thursday, 28 May 2020

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed)

 

5:50 pm

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I beg the Deputy's pardon. I had not seen it in my notes. We have worked very hard in recent months to work with the Debenhams workers to support them in seeing what is available from our offices. The workers can, of course, all avail of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment right now for as long as it exists. As I have already said, that will be well after the original end date of June. They will be entitled to the plethora of supports from the social welfare system, which includes retraining and re-engaging in work experience to try to get them into some new form of work. Fundamentally, the Deputy has asked me if the State will ensure the liquidator follows up to its responsibility with regard to the removal of assets. If there is any evidence that assets have been stripped in a way that puts a responsibility or financial burden on the State to pay statutory redundancy, of course we will do that. We will never leave anybody stuck if such a genuine concern around the assets of a business exists. If any evidence is provided by the liquidator around what the Deputy has suggested, then absolutely the State will follow up. Right now we have not received any evidence that this is the case. We look forward to the response from the liquidators in this particular case so we can take action.

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