Government has only seven months to spend €35m package

THE Government has just seven months in which to spend the latest money approved under the European Globalisation Fund.

Despite having lodged an application in June 2010 for supports for more than 9,000 workers made redundant in the construction sector, it was early last month before the European Commission gave its consent to provide €35 million.

But the scheme’s rules dictate that spending on retraining workers is only eligible for co-financing under the EGF up to 24 months after the announcement of job losses.