TalkTalk workers get €2.7m in EU aid

The 432 Talk Talk workers who lost their jobs as a result of the closure of the firm’s call centre in Waterford last year have received €2.7 million in emergency aid from the European Commission.

The lay-offs were a result of the broadband provider’s decision to transfer operations to three companies outside the EU.

As a result, this gave the Irish workers an entitlement to qualify for funding from European Globalisation Fund (EGF) which supports workers who lose their jobs as a result of globalisation.

The EU money will be matched here by the Government, delivering a total support package for workers of €5.4 million.

The money will be used to help the workers upgrade their skills and get back into the labour market.

It was part of a €25.3 million package to help redundant workers in Ireland, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden who have lost their jobs as a result of globalisation.

European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor said: "The EGF is an effective tool in supporting workers laid off as a result of globalisation and in cases of lay-offs resulting from the economic crisis.

“The Commission calls on the member states to ensure that the EGF continues to be available for the next programming period 2014-2020,” he said.

Some 575 workers lost their jobs when TalkTalk and three of its suppliers closed their operations in October last year. A total of 432 were targeted for assistance from the EGF.

Since 2009, Ireland has been granted €14.8 million to re-train 2,400 Dell workers in the Limerick/Shannon area made redundant by the company's decision to relocate that section of its operations to Poland; €2.75 million to help retrain some 650 workers made redundant by Waterford Crystal and three of its suppliers; €7.4 million to help retrain 850 aircraft maintenance workers made redundant by SR Technics Ireland Ltd.; and finally, €35.7 million for Irish construction workers.