The failure of the Government to make promised redundancy payments available to 407 ISPAT workers who lost their jobs last summer has been described as bureaucratic bungling by the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn.
Mr Quinn yesterday met the skeleton ISPAT staff which has remained at the Haulbowline plant, Co Cork, to clear steel produced there prior to closure. The company's closure was announced suddenly last June. At the time, the Government promised that whatever funds were made available, outside statutory redundancy, by the European Coal and Steel Community, would be matched out of exchequer funds. However, workers have not received these payments.
A spokesman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said Brussels has agreed to pay the Irish Steel workforce £2,362 each, but this money had not yet been ratified for release at European level. Dβil approval would be also be necessary before action from the Government. Both payments are expected by the end of December.
Mr Quinn said there was no reason why the Government should not honour its pledge.