EU help for Dell workers sought

THE Government plans to apply for training money from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) within coming weeks for Dell workers losing their jobs.

Money from the fund is granted on the basis it is matched by Government funding to go towards the retraining of workers who are made redundant.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has informed Limerick TD Niall Collins that her department should be in a position to make an application for funding within the next few weeks, subject to further talks with the European Commission.

Ms Coughlan, in a letter to Mr Collins, stated: “My department is working with Fás, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and other relevant agencies to progress the application to the European Commission in relation to 2,000 Dell workers being made redundant at Raheen, Co Limerick.”

She said a number of difficulties in completing the applications in line with strict EU commission requirements had arisen and these were now close to resolution.

More than 400 workers at Dell will finish up next Friday, adding to the 450 who lost their jobs in April.