Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene with the management of a company (details supplied) requesting that it fully cooperate with employees endeavouring to claim social welfare benefits in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department has maintained regular contact with key aviation stakeholders, including Aer Lingus, since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. 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.  

The Government has brought forward a series of measures to support all businesses impacted by COVID-19. These include the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Benefit, and the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises.

I understand that Aer Lingus is engaging with their employeees and representative bodies regarding the urgent requirement to reduce costs across its business, given the dramatic decline in demand for travel in the immediate term and the uncertainly regarding future travel demand.

Industrial relations are a matter for the airline and its 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.