30,000 redundancy claims stalled

MORE than 30,000 redundancy claims due to be paid from a state fund are waiting to be processed in the Department of Social Protection, according to latest figures obtained by the Irish Examiner.

Statutory redundancy lump sums are usually paid by employers who are then entitled to a rebate from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF) into which they make regular payments themselves through PRSI contributions. However, when an employer is unable to pay or refuses to pay, employees can apply directly to the fund.

According to the department, the figure of 30,500 is made up of both rebate claims and lump sum claims made directly by employees.