Lowry voices concern after firm enters receivership

Deputy Michael Lowry said that placing of Roadbridge in receivership is a devastating blow for over 600 hundred workers and a large number of subcontractors.

"This is a shattering setback for workers and their families and a major blow to the economy of Mid-West region. A big number of impacted employees and subcontractors are from across Tipperary. The workforce were told by the receiver, Grant Thornton, that all employees had now entered a 30-day calendar period called 'Collection Redundancy Period'.

"They will not qualify for Social Protection payments. If they accept an offer of a job during the 30 days they will lose entitlement to redundancy payment. In the past 48 hours I've been contacted by numerous people across the county who are enraged by this unsympathetic approach to their dilemma.

"I have been in contact with the Minister for Social Protection to highlight this startling anomaly. The minister will examine the possibility of giving a waver to the clause which gives rise to the problem. This punitive clause adds further grief to the trauma of workers who have lost their livelihood and the income support for themselves and their dependent families.

"The extremely serious situation at Roadbridge has massive consequences for jobs, and the future of subcontractors. With up to 30 million owed to debtors the outlook is gloomy for those caught up in the wreckage of a major company collapse."