Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
326. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the contact he and his Department have had with a company (details supplied) following the announcement of significant job losses in the company; the actions he and his Department are taking to safeguard jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16116/26]
View answerFirstly, my thoughts are with all workers facing potential redundancy and I understand this is very difficult time for those involved.
Ireland has a robust framework of legislative protections and supports for workers who are impacted by redundancy.
The rules governing collective redundancies are set out in the Protection of Employment Acts 1977-2024. Under the Acts, collective redundancies arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are:
5 employees where 21-49 are employed; 10 employees where 50-99 are employed; 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed; and 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
The 1977 Act imposes a number of obligations on an employer that proposes a collective redundancy. This includes undertaking a 30-day information and consultation process with the employees’ representatives and notifying the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of the proposed redundancies at least 30 days before they take effect.
I received a collective redundancy notification from the company on 17 February 2026. I understand that the 30-day consultation with employees’ representatives is currently underway, as required by law.
I am informed that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides supports to primary producers which are effectively aimed at maintaining the raw material supply base for meat processors.
