Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the package agreed with pig processors includes any form of compensation for workers who were temporarily laid off and who are not entitled to social welfare for the first three days of lay off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47476/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that workers in the pig processing plants have not been compensated for the loss of work during the negotiations; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47477/08]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the timeline for payment of €180 million in compensation to pig producers; if workers at processing plants will be compensated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47529/08]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the course of negotiations to return Irish pork products to the market and compensate the pig producing sector, provision was made to compensate those workers in the industry who are at a financial loss as a result of the recent crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47530/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325, 336 and 337 together.

The facility agreed with pig processors as part of securing the return to full scale processing was aimed at putting Irish pork and bacon products back into the domestic and international markets as quickly as possible and to secure the jobs of workers in the processing sector and the livelihoods of pig producers. The facility will provide assistance to processors for eligible product recalled from the market and for eligible product in stock. Though the funding does not refer to workers directly, as a result of the agreement between my Department and the processing sector, employment in processing facilities was secured, as was the earliest possible date for a return to work. Payments to processors will commence immediately and will continue on a phased basis, while the verification procedures for eligible product is being undertaken.