Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to say at the outset that my main concern and that of the Government is for the staff and family members of the staff who are affected by the recent announcement of job losses in the tech sector. It is something that I have been working on with my colleagues very extensively in the last couple of days, as I am sure the Deputy can appreciate. I can give those staff the reassurance that their legal rights will be protected, there will be 30 days of information and consultation, they will receive statutory redundancy payments and, in almost all cases, they will receive enhanced redundancy packages and exit packages. I also want to reassure them that the Government will help them out as best we can, for example with jobsearch to find new opportunities.

It is good to hear today that Microsoft, for example, is still hiring. It was good to hear yesterday Virtuous Technologies is creating additional jobs in Dublin 8. This sector is still hiring, even if some companies in the sector are letting people go. We are there to help anybody who wants to set up their own business, wants to return to education or training or needs to know what their welfare rights are. I want to give that assurance particularly to all those staff who are getting bad news this week.

There will be further layoffs in other companies in the coming weeks. We are not aware of the details of that, but it is likely to happen down the line. It is important to acknowledge it is the case that, generally speaking, people who are members of trade unions have better pay, terms and conditions than those who are not. However, the tech sector, which is largely not unionised, has better pay, terms and conditions again. These are some of the highest-paid sectors, some of the best-paid jobs and some of the best benefits. In one company, four months of paid paternity leave are provided, which is a positive thing. It is important to put on the record that these are good companies and good employers. They pay well. They have terms and conditions that are much better than would be the case in the average employer. This is one of the good reasons we welcome their investment in this country and we want it to continue.

In relation to legislation for collective bargaining, as the Deputy knows I published a report on that matter in the last few weeks. It derives from an EU directive on minimum wages and the need to increase collective bargaining coverage in the State. That report has been published and we anticipate being in a position to respond to it and to publish legislation next year.

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