Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

19. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ensure that the necessary support is being provided by his Department to the workers at Cadbury's in Coolock in Dublin 5, who have lost their jobs in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18350/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Immediately after the announcement by the company concerned, I established an inter-agency group to coordinate the response to the proposed job losses. The group, chaired by Enterprise Ireland, will seek to secure alternative employment for the area affected and ensure that departing workers have access to supports they need from State agencies for retraining, access to social welfare supports, access to advice on employment rights and access to advice and support for those workers who intend to start their own businesses. The group includes Local Enterprise Offices, IDA Ireland, Solas, Education and Training Boards, Department of Social Protection, MABS, Northside Partnership and the Citizens Information Bureau. The first meeting was held on 18 March.

Recently it was proposed to the management, and through them to the staff unions, that a meeting of the interagency group could be held with the unions. That offer to meet has not as yet been taken up. However I can confirm that the group remains ready to meet employee representatives at their convenience.

Separately, I understand that the management and employee representatives are now in discussions on a variety of issues.

Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all persons legally employed in Ireland on an employer-employee basis. Persons working under a contract of employment, on a full-time or part-time basis, have the same protection under law.

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) provides information to both and employees on their rights and obligations under employment, equality & industrial relations legislation.

NERA’s Workplace Relations Customer Services staff are available to meet the Cadbury workforce to provide information and answer any questions they may have with regard to their present situation.

If required, the State’s industrial relations machinery is also available to assist the parties concerned in any way possible.

I continue to monitor this situation very closely. Enterprise Ireland has had meetings with the company’s management on a weekly basis since the announcement of the proposed job losses. I have directed Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to continue their drive to find alternative projects for the area affected.