Shannagh Private Nursing home, Belleek
IT HAS been revealed the former staff at the Shannagh nursing home in Belleek were forced to wait almost six months for their statutory redundancy payments.
The nursing home closed in August 2014 at a cost of 33 jobs. The staff applied for statutory redundancy payments from the Department for Employment and Learning, but only received payment within the last week.
One female staff member, who worked at the home for 20 years told the Herald of her disappointment, not only with the delay in payment, but the closure of the home.
“I started on May 25, 1994. I enjoyed working in the home, it was close to where I live also. I was on the domestic end, doing cleaning and the laundry.”
She continued: “It is very badly missed in Belleek. I have great memories and I got used to the residents, even though a few have passed on since. It leaves a void in Belleek, it was a big blow especially for business people and the local shops. They would notice a difference with the jobs out of the village.”
The 56-year-old woman who lives in Bonahill, Ballyshannon explained that no reason was given for the delay in redundancy payment, but said the money had been expected before Christmas.
“I know most people with children it would have been a real blow as they would have expected it at such an expensive time of year. Personally I don’t have children, but it was still disappointing around Christmas. We weren’t given any reasons really why it has taken so long to pay us, no justification whatsoever. All the staff were affected and I don’t think it’s acceptable.
“It’s been very difficult all round for everyone affected. I suppose it’s better late than never, but we should have got it earlier. It is just very disappointing.”
The issue of delayed payments was brought up in Stormont by Sinn Fein MLA Phil Flanagan. He expressed his alarm at the length of time former staff were forced to wait for their money.
Mr Flanagan raised the matter with the Minister for Employment and Learning Stephen Farry in the Assembly.
Speaking last week he said: “I have been approached by a number of these workers expressing their frustration at the length of time it was taking to process these claims, for money they were fully entitled to.
“I therefore raised the issue with the Minister before Christmas. I find the details of his response unacceptable and it highlights further the need for the improved protection of workers’ rights, particularly in these situations.
“The Department for Employment and Learning received 33 applications for redundancy payments from former staff who lost their jobs last August and it has been dealing with their redundancy claims since then.
“The Minister has told me that he only expects payments being made to eligible applicants this week. I find this delay totally unjustifiable. It has been five months since these employees lost their jobs, yet their redundancy payments are only now being processed.
“With only 155 jobs being created in Fermanagh last year, which is another matter for the DETI minister, it is unlikely that the former employees have found employment easily elsewhere. Yet these individuals have homes and families as well as bills to be paid not to mention the added expense of the Christmas period.
“This money was badly needed in many households over recent months.
“This is a terrible way for government departments to treat workers who have lost their jobs. DETI and DEL have serious questions to answer on this and I will be asking questions of both Ministers on this matter.”
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