Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD has said that her Department will ensure that the needs of the employees concerned are met through pro-active and timely access to a range of income maintenance, money advice and employment support services.

The Department has made contact with both Grant Thornton and BDO who are the liquidators to Target Express and Asda Properties to establish numbers of employees affected and geographic details (references in media to Cork, Tralee, Wexford, Dublin and border areas). Appropriate supports to employees will be co-ordinated nationally and delivered through the Department’s Divisions.
It should be noted that it is not necessary to have a P45 at time of application for jobseeker’s payment, and for award of claim. As the facts of this case are known it is evident that the employment has ceased. If a person satisfies all of the relevant conditions, jobseeker’s payment will be made.

For those whose income is insufficient to meet their needs, emergency payments may be available under the Department’s Supplementary Welfare Scheme.