Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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355. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the loss of 85 jobs at a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17165/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Arising from its obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977, the company in question wrote to me as Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation on 7th February last to give notice of proposed collective redundancies and the opening of the consultation process required under that Act. I am informed that approximately 65 compulsory redundancies are proposed to be made from May to August this year. I am also informed that consultations with employees are ongoing.

Under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2014 an employee who has over two years continuous service with an employer, has a statutory right to a redundancy payment. However, there is no legal obligation on the employer to offer terms beyond the minimum provided for in legislation i.e. two weeks for every year of service plus a bonus week. Ex gratia payments on top of statutory redundancy are matters for negotiation between the employer and the employees.

The proposed job losses will be a significant blow to the employees involved and their families. My Department remains focused on creating the most competitive environment for enterprise to succeed so that we can achieve our goal of sustainable employment for all. Working with our enterprise agencies and with colleagues across Government, we are committed to delivering a range of actions outlined in our National and Regional Action Plans for Jobs to ensure that quality and sustainable jobs continue to be created throughout all regions of the country.