The Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Ciaran Cannon TD, today (10 October, 2011) announced that the Government intends to make an application for co-financing from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help assist the workers who are being made redundant as a result of the closure of the Talk Talk facility in Waterford.
Minister Cannon said that "Consultations regarding the feasibility of submitting a sustainable application for EGF support had been ongoing with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the State Industrial Development Agencies, the company itself and with other relevant employment support bodies since the announcement of the proposed closure of Talk Talk’s Waterford operation.
"I am now satisfied that an application to the EU can be made for EGF support for these workers and this Department will now proceed to prepare such an application."
The Minister emphasised that "Interaction has already commenced with these workers through FÁS and Skillnets.
"We will be seeking to intensify and broaden the range of possible supports when designing the EGF programme for transmission to the EU."
The Minister cautioned that "The EGF approval process is lengthy.
"In the meantime, my Department will work with all relevant stakeholders to develop a range of appropriate interventions and to implement these measures as quickly as possible.
"Further details will issue in the coming weeks when this work has been completed."
The EGF, which commenced in 2007, assists Member States in providing active labour market interventions including occupational guidance, training, education and enterprise/self employment supports to workers made redundant as a result of globalisation and shifting global trade patterns and the economic crisis.
Ireland has made three successful applications for EGF funding including those in relation to large collective redundancies at DELL, Waterford Crystal and SR Technics.
In addition to this, the European Commission earlier this week announced that three further applications for EGF co-financing measures to assist up to 9000 former construction workers had been approved subject to approval from the European Council and the European Parliament.