EGF Information for former DELL and ancillary workers

The following has been copied from the FAS website:

EGF Information for former DELL and ancillary workers.

FÁS is committed to working closely with relevant state organisations and stakeholders to provide an effective integrated service for affected workers to explore their future options in re-training, upskilling, education and self-employment. Click Here for further information on the range of EGF funding, supports and programmes for eligible workers is available on www.tusnua.ie..

Statement from Government on Dell/Social Welfare/Jobseekers Issue

THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THE PROTEST OUTSIDE THE GRANARY ON TUESDAY MORNING. The following appeared on the Dept Social Welfare website Tuesday evening. At least there has been some movement on the part of Social Welfare.

Please refer to: Dell Workers Who Attend Education / Training Courses Will Retain Their Entitlement To Jobseekers Payments(Last Updated: 23/02/2010 18:12)for the official Government Press Release. And below is the text of the Press Release.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
from Limerick NewsWire
reply-to editor@limericknewswire.com
to dellrwa@gmail.com
date 23 February 2010 18:15
subject Statement from Government on Dell issue
details 18:15 (21 hours ago)

Hi there guys,
The Department of Social and Family Affairs responded in a statement Tuesday night on the issue.
Here it is in full.

Editor
LimerickNewsWire.com
_____
Dell Workers Who Attend Education / Training Courses Will Retain Their Entitlement To Jobseekers Payments

Under the terms associated with the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), it is not envisaged that in general any monies from the fund will be paid directly to former Dell workers. Therefore, the social welfare entitlements of the former workers will not be affected as no money will be directly received.

Instead funding is being channelled through the relevant State agencies and educational institutions to deliver the required supports to eligible redundant workers. Workers who were made statutorily redundant from Dell may retain their Jobseeker payments while attending education or training courses under the terms of the Back to Education (BTEA) schemes operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

BTEA participants attending an approved full-time course can keep their Jobseeker payments for the duration of that course (which may be a number of years). Those who participate in an approved part-time course can receive welfare support for as long as they would ordinarily be entitled to a Jobseeker payment (9-12 months in the case of those on Jobseeker’s Benefit, or longer for those who qualify for the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance). These provisions equally apply to workers studying HETAC or FETAC accredited third level courses at private colleges.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment is the responsible authority for making EGF applications and drawing down EU funding. That Department is also working with FÁS to make a range of programmes available to the former Dell employees. The package of programmes is currently being finalised.

Background
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund exists to support workers who lose their jobs as a result of changing global trade patterns or the global economic and financial crisis so that they can be prepared to find another job as quickly as possible.

An application was made by Ireland, and recently approved by EU, in the context of the Dell redundancies in Raheen, Co. Limerick. It is estimated that up to 2,900 workers are involved when qualifying downstream companies affected by this closure are included and a combined total of €22.8 million is available, between EU and Government funding, to provide complementary retraining, upskilling, entrepreneurial supports and educational opportunities for the relevant workers. The allocated funding will be available for spending until September 2011.

ENDS
Department of Social and Family Affairs

ARE WE SATISFIED TO REMAIN "THE PUPPETS ON A STRING"

The following item should be read in conjunction with the previous two items. It should help put things in perspective with regard to YOUR FUND:

"Some images from The EGF Protest earlier on Tuesday morning". AND
"Recent Reply to Our Query on Social Welfare Issue."

These are extracts from two Press Releases from The Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which should be read in conjuncion
The following item should be read in conjunction with the previous two items:

Calleary details implementation of EGF funding for redundant DELL Workers. Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Dara Calleary, T.D. today (Friday 8 January 2010) outlined the active labour market measures being put in place to assist redundant workers at the DELL computer manufacturing plant at Raheen, Co. Limerick and at ancillary enterprises in the Mid West regionRead on

Calleary details contacts with redundant DELL Workers. Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr. Dara Calleary, T.D. today (Friday 22 January 2010) confirmed that FAS has contacted all of the redundant workers from the DELL computer manufacturing plant at Raheen, Co. Limerick and at ancillary enterprises in the Mid West region to inform them of the supports being offered with the assistance of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). Read on

Some images from The EGF Protest earlier on Tuesday morning.

Some images from "The European Global Fund" Protest earlier on Tuesday morning.

A number of Redundant Workers representing the Dell Redundant Workers Association gathered outside the offices of the EGF this morning Tuesday February 23rd to PROTEST at the fact that our members were being faced with an uncertain future vis a vis the The European Global Fund. They braved the cold weather to make known their concerns. The local and national media attended the event and interviewed a number of members for TV and Radio. Lets hope Minister Dara Calleary will sit up and take notice. Already some private colleges have been forced to postpone courses because of the uncertain situation that prevails.

Recent Reply to Our Query on Social Welfare Issue

We think it timely to make available to you a copy of email sent recently to the Association in response to our email re. Social Welfare Entitlements
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from Dara_Calleary@entemp.ie
to Dell Redundant Workers Association
date 17 February 2010 17:11
subject Re: EGF Funding

hide details 17 Feb (6 days ago)

Dear Denis
As previously discussed, I am committed to visiting Limerick at the
earliest opportunity. I was intending to visit before the end of the month,
but unfortunately I am away on official Government business until March
2nd. I propose to visit Limerick on my return and have pencilled in March
4th as the date.This is a provisional date and I will confirm it with you
on Monday. I would also like to take this opportunity to visit the old
Krupps facility as discussed with you previously.

In relation to Social Welfare, I am well aware that these are serious and
urgent matter for all those concerned, however, the issues are technical
and complex and my Department and the Department of Social and Family
Affairs are continuing to strive for a solution on this we are working
through the range of issues involved. . I will of course keep you informed
of progress in this regard.

Yours sincerely,

Dara Calleary T.D
Minister for Labour Affairs

PROTEST PROTEST PROTEST !!!

THE EUROPEAN GLOBALISATION FUND IS YOURS
PROTECT IT
The Dept of Social Welfare are threatening to stop entitlements if you avail of the EGF Fund.

To date there are still outstanding issues which require clarification by the Dept of Social Welfare & FAS. For this reason some of the private colleges have been forced to delay the implementation of their courses, this only leads to additional frustation on the part of our members concerned. The disgruntlement is so obvious from the flood of emails we have received & the number of callers to our office in Upper William Street.

Although the Committee is working extremely hard to resolve outstanding issues we are nevertheless being faced with a brick wall at every hands turn. Therefore the Committee has decided to mount a PROTEST outside the new EGF offices in the Granary Limerick. The PROTEST will take place this Tuesday morning at 10.00am to highlight the unresolved issues with FAS & The Dept of Social Welfare.


PASS THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS!!!

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