asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when compensatory lump sums will be paid to those ex-employees of the G.N.R. works in Dundalk, who will not be offered employment with Dundalk Engineering Works.

The implementation of these arrangements is a matter for the Dundalk Engineering Works Ltd. I expect that the Company will do everything in their power to provide employment for the greatest possible number of the former employees of the G.N.R. Works at Dundalk. It is only in respect of workers for whom employment cannot be provided when the developments contemplated at Dundalk are completed that the question of ex-gratia payments will arise. In the meantime as the Deputy is aware weekly “stand-off” payments are being made to workers who are temporarily redundant.

Assuming an ex-employee of the G.N.R. works is offered employment elsewhere and accepts it and is not subsequently recalled to the D.E.W., will that prevent his claiming compensation?

I should prefer to have notice of that question.

I think the Minister gave an assurance that it would not when he was discussing this Bill.

Could the Minister say how many have yet to be re-employed?

The number employed at present is 860. The number not yet recalled is less than 100.