Mayo appeals for sub-contractors to be paid as receiver is appointed to Roadbridge

A Mayo TD has today called on sub-contractors to be paid following the appointment of a receiver to Roadbridge.

Deputy Michael Ring stated: “I am acutely aware of the distress which is being caused to many people following Roadbridge entering receivership.

"It is a very worrying time for the people directly and indirectly affected by this news.

“There are a number of people employed here in Mayo by Roadbridge. Also, a lot of local companies are owed substantial monies from Roadbridge. I am calling on the sub-contractors to be paid.

“The fact that Roadbridge has entered receivership will affect a huge number of people. There are grave concerns about those people and their workers here in Mayo in particular.

“There is also a serious issue with the employees being told that they should not apply to the Department of Social Protection for a period of thirty days or seek employment for the next thirty days as it may affect their redundancy entitlements. I will raise this issue with the Minister for Social Protection.

“This situation with Roadbridge came about very suddenly and it has had a profound effect on a lot of people.

“I understand that the Tánaiste has asked his Officials and Enterprise Ireland to engage with the company as a matter of urgency.

"I am hopeful that the government will do everything they can to assist the employees and the sub-contractors with the fallout of this very serious situation."

Mayo SInn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has also called on the government to intervene to support the workers and subcontractors affected by Roadbridge entering receivership.

She stated: “Roadbridge is one of the country's biggest civil engineering and construction firms with reports that it has a pipeline of contracts valued at between €700 and 900 million.

“The company employs 630 people directly and many more indirectly through subcontractors and providers. These workers and SMEs need to be the government and the receiver’s main priority.

“Over the last couple of days, I have been contacted by many workers in Mayo effected by the Roadbridge news. Workers and providers in Mayo could be particularly hard hit if action isn’t taken.

“The first thing that needs to be addressed is the legal issue which means workers are denied their redundancy entitlement if they accept a new job or claiming social welfare payment for 30 days.

“We are in a cost-of-living crisis. Many people and families simply cannot afford to be without and income for that long.

“I have written to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment seeking immediate action on this issue.

“I welcome the Irish Plant Contractors Association has said its members are willing to provide employment to Roadbridge workers, in the event they lose their jobs.

“We need all actor in the sector to step up and ensure these workers and the valuable skills they have are kept in the industry.

“Many of the contracts held by Roadbridge are public contracts for vital infrastructure such as the N5.

“This raises serious questions about the public procurement process that awards important state contract to a company that is not financially stable."