Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Despite my raising this with the Tánaiste in June and the Taoiseach in July as well as tabling numerous parliamentary questions, there remains absolute anger and frustration among the workforce of Aer Lingus and other companies in the aviation sector in respect of their social welfare entitlements. The replies we are receiving are not reflected in their experiences in Intreo offices. They are not reflected in their experiences with their employer either. The net result is that workers are taking home pay of €40. There are workers taking home net pay of €200 who are trying to raise families and meet mortgage commitments. They consider themselves the lucky ones. There is major distress and upset.

I hope the Government is talking to the company in terms of connectivity. That needs to be discussed. I ask the Tánaiste and the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to engage with the company with a view to ensuring that these workers receive their entitlements and that there are open doors rather than closed doors, continued cloudiness and lack of clarity.

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