Written answers
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
Job Losses
9:00 pm
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has been in contact with a company (details supplied) regarding the loss of in the region of 100 jobs in Dundalk and Kilkenny; and the steps he has taken to ensure the company gives the workers adequate redundancy packages commensurate with their years of service to the company. [3480/12]
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The operations of the company referred to have been under review for some time and Enterprise Ireland has been, and is, actively engaging with the company on an ongoing basis in seeking investments to protect and grow jobs in Ireland. In April, July and December 2011, Enterprise Ireland met with the company to discuss the developments in St James's Gate and plans for Kilkenny and Dundalk. Enterprise Ireland is continuing to work proactively with the company to ensure that it continues to develop its existing brands in Ireland, so as to ensure maximum job retention.
The investment announced for St James's Gate last week will consolidate brewing operations and while I welcome the company's announcement of the major new investment that secures the future of brewing in Ireland, the closure of the Dundalk site, which has been signalled since 2008, is a serious blow to the town. I am very conscious of the anxiety that the closures will create for the workers involved and their families as well as the local communities and I can assure the Deputy that the enterprise development agencies will continue to engage proactively with the company to explore any future opportunities for staff.
Issues in relation to the payment of statutory redundancy entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Acts are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. Redundancy payments above the statutory entitlement are a matter for negotiation between the employer and workers representatives. The industrial relations machinery of the State is available to assist the parties in the event of any dispute that may arise in this context.
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