Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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854. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding protecting jobs in the airline industry in particular in circumstances in which some companies operate both here and outside Ireland, are in financial difficulties and are seeking substantial redundancies; the contacts there are between his Department and the persons who are making these decisions in these companies to ensure that there is not an unfair number of redundancies here and jobs are placed abroad in order that pilots and cabin crew from abroad can fly in and out of Ireland as part of the airline business while at the same time no jobs are being maintained here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11005/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The aviation industry is one of the most affected by the global pandemic. All airlines have seen severe depletion of revenue and are facing various degrees of financial challenge. My Department continues to engage regularly with airlines, airports, regulators and all relevant stakeholders during the COVID-19 Pandemic with regard to its impact.

In order to assist businesses and protect employment, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for companies of all sizes, including those in the aviation sector, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. These supports are designed to build confidence, to further assist businesses in terms of the management of their companies and to allow them to begin looking to the future and start charting a path forward for the weeks and months ahead.

I have also formed a Taskforce for Aviation Recovery with the objective of advising on a framework for promoting the return of aviation connectivity. The Taskforce is requested to prepare an Aviation Recovery Plan and report back by early next month.

Industrial relations are a matter for the airlines and their employees and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role in relation to such matters. The industrial relations machinery of the State would be availabe to assist all parties to reach agreement, should the need arise.