Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. It was raised in the Dáil this morning too.

I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Butcher's Block, who are now suddenly facing job losses. The way in which this was handled was cold and lacked compassion. It is no way to treat hardworking, loyal workers. We have to protect and support workers. The Government and I appreciate how difficult this situation is for those involved and their families, particularly at Christmas time.

The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties businesses have faced in recent times. The financial assistance provided during the pandemic was unprecedented. The Government continues to support businesses, especially in the context of higher business costs, particularly energy costs. Budget 2023 introduced a package of new measures to help businesses across a wide range of sectors to deal with rising costs. Those measures include the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, the Ukraine credit guarantee scheme, the Ukraine enterprise scheme and the new growth and sustainability loan scheme. All these actions are focused on supporting continued employment.

Where businesses close, Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation to protect and to support workers. By law, it is the employer's responsibility to pay statutory redundancy and other outstanding wage-related entitlements to workers. Where an employer is genuinely unable to pay these entitlements due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State provides a safety net and may make the payments on the employer's behalf from the Social Insurance Fund.

The Protection of Employment Act 1977 imposes certain legal obligations on employers proposing collective redundancies, including an obligation to engage in an information and consultation process with employees' representatives and to provide information on the proposed redundancies. Those obligations apply where more than 20 workers are employed and depending on the number at risk of redundancy. The proposed collective redundancy must be notified to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There is no obligation on the employer to notify the Minister of proposed redundancies outside the parameters of collective redundancy legislation. However, under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, employers must provide employees with statutory periods of minimum notice, which vary depending on the length of service.

The Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, is the organisation mandated to secure compliance with employment rights. Employees have the right to refer complaints to the commission on a wide range of employment law breaches, including those relating to statutory minimum notice, for adjudication and compensation where appropriate.

I assure the Deputy that the Government will work in a co-ordinated way to assist these workers. The Department of Social Protection will assist in respect of income supports and employment and training opportunities.

Again, I extend my sympathies to the workers in the Butcher's Block. As I said, the way this was handled was clumsy and cold and lacked compassion.

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