EU funds for Dell staff ‘could be lost’

THE €14.8 million for laid-off Dell workers will be signed off by the European Parliament today, but workers and MEPs have warned that unless the Government gets organised they could lose much of the funding.

Labour MEP for Ireland South Alan Kelly said that despite knowing for months that the money was coming, no proper arrangements have been put in place to make it available to the close to 3,000 workers eligible to receive it.

“The money will provide a hand-up rather than a hand-out and will be vital in rebuilding the economy of the region. But if the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan does not get her act together as the minister responsible for administering the fund, then some of it will be returned to Europe.