Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government agrees the workers involved are a vulnerable cohort of the workforce. That is why every effort was made to work with them as far as possible from our end of it, in terms of the industrial relations agencies.Apart from that, as the Deputy is aware, the Department of Social Protection and the Intreo office had intensive engagement at local level with all the workers to assist them on their journey and ensure they got all their statutory entitlements. They also gave the workers advice and direction regarding other potential jobs and worked with local employers to achieve that.

I understand that at the time of the announced job losses, on a local level, dedicated staff in the Department of Social Protection were assigned to work directly with the employees affected by redundancy because we recognised the position they were in and to ensure they received their proper entitlements and other services available to them. Officials also held group information sessions and one-to-one phone meetings with the workers involved. They advised the workers on supports for jobseekers with disabilities, including the EmployAbility service, which is an employment and recruitment service, to help people with a disability secure and maintain employment. Many of these people had built up skills working in this business for a long number of years. This action ensured employees were able to access their entitlements swiftly and in a manner that hopefully did not cause further distress.

I understand that the workers and their families are disappointed with the terms of the proposed redundancy package but, as Minister of State, I am precluded from intervening in this matter. This is because the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Labour Court are independent offices of our Department. As I mentioned, recommendations arising from the WRC and Labour Court are not legally binding. I agree with the Deputy that everybody should try to respect the arms of the State and the industrial relations machinery put in place, which works extremely well and effectively in most cases.

The Government cannot compel a party to comply with a recommendation. The ultimate responsibility for compliance with any Labour Court recommendation rests with the employer, the workers and their representatives. I understand there is still room for negotiations and some offers were made as well. I hope common sense will prevail and a solution will be found involving all three groups in this decision.