A package proposed to shut down a defunct ESB power station in Co Offaly will cost and estimated€20 million over 10 years, it emerged last night.
This is in addition to the €6.24 million needed to keep the plant at Rhode open until the end of May, the deadline set yesterday by the company's Joint Industrial Council (JIC). That date is two years after production ceased.
But it was uncertain last night whether up to 100 workers would accept the latest recommendation on closure. Staff have rejected previous attempts to broker a deal.
The council's lengthy report will be distributed to workers next week and they will be invited by their unions to a mass meeting in 11 days. The head of the ESB group of unions, Mr Paddy Reilly, described the proposal as "a good deal" and "comprehensive".
Should the package be accepted, it is thought about 80 staff might avail of the opportunity to leave. With an average age of 50 and an average salary of €32,000, the package would be worth about €250,000 each over 10 years.
On asbestos, the JIC proposed becoming the guardian of the letters of comfort provided by the ESB. Those letters promise the firm would meet all its commitments should the staff develop physical ailments.
While it is understood the package recommended by the JIC is similar to that offered in late 2001 when a similar Co Offaly plant at Ferbane was shut down, the workers are being offered an additional upfront payment of €5,000 net to leave the plant.
If they accept, they will receive their full salary every month for about 11 months after the plant is shut down. The firm will also buy out their five-week holiday entitlement for that 11 months. After a year, the staff will receive a lump sum equivalent to a full year's salary. That sum will be taxed.
They will then receive the equivalent of half their salary every month until the age of 60. At 60, each will receive a lump sum of a one year's full salary. That sum will not be taxed. After the age of 60, they will be entitled to receive a pension worth half their salary.
The ESB will fund all elements of the package, apart from the pension payments, which will be funded from the firm's superannuation scheme. While an ESB spokesman would not comment on the detail of the package, he said it would be implemented over a prolonged period and would be taxed.
In a statement, the firm said the package required careful consideration. It added: "ESB is fully committed to these agreed procedures ... ESB hopes that today's recommendation will lead to a mutually acceptable resolution."
