Support for firms seeking reduction of working hours

ENTERPRISE Minister Mary Coughlan said the Government will consider ways to support employers who want to reduce working hours rather than make people redundant.

The Tánaiste said she and her cabinet colleagues would look at any option which promoted flexibility in the arrangements between employers and employees. During a late night Dáil debate Ms Coughlan said along with Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe and Social Welfare Minister Mary Hanafin she would bring forward proposals in this area. She also praised the Labour Party for tabling constructive proposals as part of its private members’ motion on ways to tackle unemployment.

Labour’s social and family affairs spokesman Roisín Shortall had asked the Tánaiste to consider methods to encourage career breaks and shorter working weeks as an alternative to unemployment.