Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when his attention was drawn to the impending closure of a factory (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he has received information regarding the company's proposals to compensate the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he has monitored the impending closure of a factory (details supplied) in County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the extent to which adequate offers of redundancy have been made to the entire workforce in view of their long and dedicated service; if he will ensure that all employees will receive a fair and just settlement in recognition of their contribution to the company and the economy, locally and nationally over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.

On 23 April, 2007, I was informed of the situation in the company in question by Enterprise Ireland. The company is moving its manufacturing operation to China in 2008. It will, however, maintain a sales and marketing centre in Ireland which will employ ten people.

I understand that over the coming months, the company will be discussing its redundancy package with the employees and that it will put a support programme in place to help them obtain alternative employment. The full services of the Industrial Training agency, FAS, will be made available to those workers who wish to avail of the agency's services.

It is up to the employer in the first instance to pay statutory redundancy lump sum payments to employees on making them redundant. Payments over and above the statutory amounts are a matter for negotiation between the employer and the employees or the trade union acting on the employees' behalf. I understand that a conciliation meeting has taken place recently under the chairmanship of the Labour Relation Commission. The experience and expertise of the Court, and the Labour Relations Commission, are available free of charge to the parties concerned and offer them the best avenue for resolving any difficulties that may arise. Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of the parties concerned to ensure that a satisfactory agreement is reached.