Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had talks with the principals in a retailers (details supplied) either before or after their announcement of the loss of 580 jobs; if so, the outcome of the talks; the steps he proposes to provide employment opportunities for the redundant workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8555/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Neither my colleague nor I have had discussions with the companies in question either before or after their announcement of the loss of 580 jobs.

The company did, however, on 15 February 2008, notify the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment of its intention to seek redundancies in the order of 586 people, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 regarding collective redundancies. I am satisfied that the company will discharge their legislative obligations under this act.

My Department, on receipt of a Collective Redundancy Notification, immediately notifies the local FAS office of the impending redundancies. FAS then makes arrangements with the company to contact the affected workers with a view to assisting them in finding alternative employment. FAS also brings the full range of the services it offers to the attention of the workers in order that they may avail of re-training, enhancing of existing skills etc to better fit them for a return to the workplace.