The Government says it expects to make an application to the European Commission in the next two weeks for emergency EU aid to retrain workers affected by the job losses at Dell.Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen said that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) Application in support of the 2000 Dell workers being made redundant at Raheen, County Limerick, would be made in late May or early June. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aims to support workers, mainly in regions and sectors, which have been disadvantaged by exposure to the globalised economy. It has a maximum annual budget of 500 million euros to facilitate the reintegration into employment of 35000 to 50000 workers.
Minister of State Killeen said he had received confirmation from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan T.D. that her Department was working with FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and other relevant agencies and bodies to progress the application. He continued, “A number of difficulties in completing the application in line with strict Commission requirements on rationale, costings and redundancy notifications are close to resolution particularly given the revised EGF Regulation recently agreed between the Council and Parliament though yet to be formally adopted (expected in early Autumn).”
“I am delighted to learn that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment should be in a position to make an application in the next two weeks subject to necessary external inputs and proofing with the Commission. It should be noted that a greater level of co-financing (up to 65pc) is available as the application is being made after May 1st”, explained Minister Killeen. The Minister pointed out that the Government, with the support of regional agencies and other relevant bodies, remained committed to providing assistance to manufacturing employees at Dell in their efforts to source new employment and upskill themselves where necessary.
