Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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461. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects the European Council will approve the European Globalisation Fund application for the former workers at a company (details supplied) in County Dublin. [7046/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Department submitted an application on 19 September 2014 to the European Commission for EU co-financing under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) of a programme of labour market activation measures in support of 424 workers made redundant at the Lufthansa Technik Airmotive Ireland plant in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin and a number of ancillary enterprises. All 424 workers are eligible to be assisted under the application but based on the Department's analysis and experience it is targeting 250 to avail of the supports ultimately. The application also includes up to 200 young persons not in employment, education or training as is permitted on an optional basis under EU Regulation 1309/2013 governing the Fund.

The College of Commissioners approved the EGF application on 6 February 2015. The application must also be approved by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The Department does not have firm dates for forthcoming decisions of these bodies but my officials anticipate that decisions could be made in Quarter 2 of 2015 based on previous experience and recent enquires made of the EU authorities.

However, in line with Department policy on the EGF process in Ireland, the Department is anticipating the full approval of the application and is already overseeing the provision by local and national service providers of a programme of guidance, education and training and enterprise supports to the cohorts in question. These supports are being financed currently through national funding.