From Department of Social Protection; Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
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Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, and Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, have said supports are being put in place immediately to assist Tara Mines workers.
Responding to the announcement tonight by the parent company Boliden, Minister Coveney said:
“We have been speaking with Tara Mines in recent weeks and I was due to meet with senior Irish managers next week. Tonight’s decision of the board in Sweden is a shock and my thoughts are with all of the workers affected. The company has tonight told me the board is convinced this is a temporary closure.
“My department will immediately send in State agencies to assist workers, especially apprentices who are in the middle of their training. Enterprise Ireland has told me it can have a team there on Wednesday.
“Meanwhile the government will continue to engage with Irish management and the parent company to try reverse this closure.”
Minister Humphreys confirmed tonight that a dedicated team from the Department of Social Protection is being put in place to provide supports to the impacted workers and their families.
Minister Humphreys added:
“My immediate thoughts tonight are with the workers and their families who are dealing with this extremely difficult news.
“My Department of Social Protection is on standby to help in whatever way we can.
“A dedicated team is being put in place and will be out on the ground with the company to provide information on income supports, redundancy entitlements and employment supports for their impacted employees.”