GOVERNMENT TREATMENT OF DRWA DISGRACEFUL
Issued : Thursday 25 November, 2010
Limerick City Labour Deputy Jan O’Sullivan has called on the Department of Education & Skills to pay the Dell Redundant Workers Association for legitimate expenses incurred over the last two years in establishing the representative group and advising former employees of their future career options.
I raised this issue on the Dail adjournment debate last evening having met with the DWRA on a number of occasions and visited there office in Limerick to see first hand the nature and type of work that is carried out there.
The DRWA have made considerable sacrifices in terms of their own personnel time so as to ensure that the best possible resources and professional advice is made available to former colleagues who now have to make decisions which will determine their future lives.
It is totally unacceptable that despite submitting audited genuine expenses and completing the appropriate documentation in accordance with EU guidelines the Department continues to seek additional clarifications before payment is made.
It is vitally important that the European Globalisation Fund issued to help former workers from Dell and associated companies is fully utilised in terms of providing re-training, educational courses, or start up capital for those considering setting up their own businesses.
The Governments involvement from the moment Dell announced the closure of their manufacturing facilities in Limerick has been shambolic. The delays and misinformation between various state agencies on their roles and responsibilities and the putting in place of appropriate structures to assist ex employees highlighted Government and Ministerial incompetence.
It was the DWRA who formed quickly following the Dell announcement and set about campaigning on behalf of their rights and entitlements only to be now faced with unpaid bills and disillusioned by Government inaction.
I have appealed to the Minister for Education & Skills to authorise without further delay the relevant payments due to the DWRA who at this stage simply cannot afford to continue to provide their services on a daily basis.
