Tailored support for Seagate and Arntz

The firms - which announced large scale redundancies over the period - were amongst four companies province-wide to receive help from DEL’s Employment Service.

Employment and Learning Minister Reg Empey was asked by Rev. Dr R. Coulter what measures he had put in place to respond to any further large-scale redundancies.

He replied: “The Department has established redundancy service procedures which enable it to respond effectively to large scale redundancies.

“The Employment Service co-ordinates delivery of a tailored package of support including partner organisations such as the Social Security Agency, the Careers Service, the appropriate Regional College and, where appropriate, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

“Unfortunately, the Department has significant experience in the provision of a redundancy service to companies facing large scale redundancies.

“Over the past 12-18 months the Employment Service has delivered tailored packages of support to Seagate in Limavady; Nortel in Monkstown; Hughes Christensen in East Belfast and Arntz Belling in Londonderry.”