Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1061. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the contacts she or her officials had with a company (details supplied) prior to or since the announced closure of the business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9182/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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To date my Department has not yet received formal notification of the closure of or proposed redundancies by the Henderson Group or BD Foods, Glaslough, Co Monaghan. However, on 22 May 2020, the local Intreo team heard news of an impending closure and immediately made contact with the Managing Director for an update. Having confirmed the company’s intentions, the local management team invoked the emergency response plan to offer support to the company and the workforce.

I know that this news has come as a shock to the workforce, and I wish to express my deepest sympathy to all of them, their families and the local community. My Department is working with all relevant State agencies to minimise the impact.

 The first priority for my Department is to ensure that the affected employees quickly receive access to all income supports that may be available to them. In parallel, the Department will provide support to them to access new job opportunities, or where required, to access appropriate education and training and development options.

 As a follow up to the initial contact, the Intreo team is currently reaching out to the BD Foods workforce and management team to invite them to a webinar scheduled for 10th June 2020 during which my Department and other relevant stakeholders, including the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, Education and Training Board and Local Enterprise Office will offer comprehensive advice and support to those affected.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.