State agencies will assist liberty workers oreilly

Cavan Government TD Joe O'Reilly has said that every effort is being made at government level in an attempt to secure jobs at Liberty Insurance or ensure that they are replaced at local level.

Speaking to the Celt following yesterday's announcement by the company that it is to seek 270 redundancies across its Irish offices, including 115 in Cavan, Deputy O'Reilly said: 'I have had another telephone conversation with Minister Bruton and he has once again assured me that all necessary State Agencies will be put in place to assist the impacted workers. I also said that, in the context of the new Border Enterprise Strategy, every effort will be made to replace the jobs that are lost.'

A statement from the company yesterday said that the cuts come following a decision by Liberty Insurance to exit the personal general insurance market in Britain. That business is serviced from Ireland. The CEO of the company Tom McIlduff has said that company is committed to Cavan and has no plans to close the offices but could not give any guarantees for the future (full interview in next week's paper).

Meanwhile a statement from Deputy O'Reilly read: 

'I have been in touch with Mr Dominic Finlay, Corporate Affairs Manager in Liberty Mutual, seeking clarifications and reassurances and reassurances around the proposed voluntary redundancies in the Cavan Branch.

'I learned the following: the Voluntary Redundancy Package will involve Statutory Redundancy plus an additional 4 weeks, per year. My understanding is that this is at the better end of normal voluntary redundancy packages.

'I was assured that the consultancy process with workers would go on over an 18 month period and with all vested interests.

'I received absolute assurances on the future of the Cavan operation.

'Needless to say, while the assurances received are pleasing it remains a source of great regret and disappointment that there will be any redundancies. The preferred option for all of us would be to see the workforce to remain in place. I have left the management of Liberty in no doubt that that is my view and as I involve myself in further discussions, I will repeat that at all times. I will also maintain dialogue with Minister Bruton to press for replacement jobs, particularly in the context Border Action Plan for Jobs.

'It has been a very distressing week for County Cavan and it is important that it is turned around for the better, over the coming months.'

The deadline for applications for voluntary redundancies will close on July 10.