Harkin: Employment Dept bungled EU redundancy funds

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin has blamed Irish officials for failing to properly apply for EU funding for unemployed workers.

Ms Harkin was referring to the EU's Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which was set up to help people who have lost their jobs because of the global economic downturn.

Today MEPs in Strasbourg approved a €37m application from Ireland for redundant construction workers.

But Marian Harkin said the application was bungled by the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and thousands of workers will not benefit from the fund.