Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that the option of redeployment to other Bord na Móna facilities will be offered to staff from the Littleton plant; if a generous voluntary redundancy scheme will be made available for those who do not seek redeployment; if the future of the major land asset at Littleton will be set out by Bord na Móna to ensure that all opportunities for further employment are explored in view of the decisions made by Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22292/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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While Bord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998 and the matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function, they are nonetheless matters of concern to me.

In the first instance I have encouraged the company to maintain engagement with employees and Unions as this matter progresses. Although I have no function with regard to employment within the company, I have urged the company to consider all opportunities for redeployment, phased reductions in employment numbers, and all renewable technology opportunities which may offer the potential of sustainable and long-term regional employment alternatives.