John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be bringing forward new policy proposals in the wake of the case of a company (details supplied). [6807/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Following extensive engagement with the social partners the “Plan for Action on Collective Redundancies following Insolvency” was published in June 2021. This sets out several commitments to safeguard further the rights of workers in these circumstances including;

1. amendments to company law and employment law,

2. a new Employment Law Review Group, and

3. the provision of an accessible guidance document.

The Guidance Document was published on 20th December and provides clear and accessible information in relation to the rights and remedies available to employees facing a collective redundancy situation following a company insolvency.

Drafting of the amendments to the Protection of Employment Act 1977 has now commenced with a view to seeking Cabinet approval for the drafting of Heads of a Bill as soon as possible.

Work has also commenced on the drafting of the Terms of Reference for the Employment Law Review Group and organising suitable membership. Our immediate focus is to get the Group established initially on a non-statutory basis, in Q2 of 2022. We will then work on drafting the appropriate legislation to have the Group placed on a statutory footing as soon as possible thereafter.

The 'Plan of Action' on company law proposed 9 amendments, 3 of which were progressed under the Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies Act 2021, which was commenced on 8th December 2021. The remaining company law recommendations will be progressed this year by way of regulations or amendment to the Companies Act 2014.

These complementary range of measures will promote the provision of quality information, enhance participation and transparency for those workers facing a collective redundancy following company insolvency, and will also provide for continued development of employment law in general.