Group travel from Limerick to Dublin to protest for people with disabilities

A GROUP of people with disabilities, family members and supporters travelled from Limerick to Dublin on Monday to protest outside Rehab Enterprises in Dublin.

The Limerick Leader was contacted by a committee formed to raise awareness of the 37 workers who were made redundant from Rehab Enterprises in Raheen nearly two years ago.

“They did not get their full redundancy entitlements. Most were left short between €20,000 to €40,000. All have disabilities and most won’t work again. The Labour Court recommended that Rehab Enterprises pay this money,” reads the statement.

The former employees who have mild, severe and profound disabilities did soldering, sorting, packing and manufacturing work. They have a length of service ranging from three to over 40 years. The group say they took the step of protesting in Dublin to “fight for the rights of those who don’t have a voice”.

The Leader contacted Rehab Enterprises about the protest. In a statement, they say they have spent several weeks considering the judgement by the Labour Court in respect of Rehab Enterprises Limerick.

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“Rehab Enterprises Ltd is a private company working in the commercial environment and a separate legal entity from any other parts of Rehab Group which operate in the provision of Learning and Social Care.

“Rehab Enterprises has been under significant financial pressure for many years. This fact was accepted by the Labour Court and the SIPTU-appointed financial expert who examined the matter.

“The Labour Court recommendation would cost Rehab Enterprises an additional €1.5m. This would be in addition to the €1.2m in redundancy payments former Rehab Enterprises employees have received since 2020. This cost for a financially pressured business is highly challenging,” reads the statement.

Rehab Enterprises recognises this process has been “challenging” for the former employees in Limerick.

“We know the difficulties people with disabilities can have in securing employment. To this end, we have worked extensively with Rehab Enterprises Ltd.’s former employees since the closure of Raheen to ensure a managed transition to alternative work and training options. We have also assisted others in accessing community services and other social support as required.”