Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
949. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether a collective redundancy notification has been received from a company (details supplied) under the Protection of Employment Act 1977; the steps his Department is taking to ensure full compliance with the statutory 30 day consultation period and all information and consultation obligations owed to affected workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56382/26]
View answer1039. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the engagement he has had with a company (details supplied) surrounding potential job losses in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57150/26]
View answer1040. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total number of job losses he anticipates at a company (details supplied) in Ireland in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57151/26]
View answer1041. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department has taken to prevent job losses at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57152/26]
View answer1042. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to seek clarity and alleviate speculation and anxiety surrounding potential job losses at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57153/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 949 and 1039 to 1042, inclusive, together.
Firstly, my thoughts are with all workers facing potential redundancy and I understand this is very difficult time for those involved.
My Department received a notification of proposed collective redundancies from the company concerned on 16 July 2026. For commercial sensitivity reasons, my Department does not disclose details of any individual notification, such as the number of redundancies proposed.
The rules governing collective redundancies are set out in the Protection of Employment Act 1977, as amended. Under the Act, 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.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the organisation which is mandated to secure compliance with employment rights legislation. Employees have the right to refer complaints to the WRC on a wide range of employment law breaches for an adjudication and compensation where appropriate. This includes the right to make a complaint where they believe their employer has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Protection of Employment Act 1977.
In most cases, complaints to the WRC must be made within 6 months of the alleged breach. The WRC may extend this time period to 12 months if the employee can demonstrate reasonable cause. The WRC’s Customer Service and Information Unit can provide further information in relation to employment rights and obligations and can be contacted at www.workplacerelations.ie or by phone on 059-9178990 or Lo Call 0818 80 80 90.
