A: Carton Bros is participating in the national serial screening programme of meat processing and prepared food businesses, which is being carried out, across the country, by the ambulance service on behalf of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

This HSE announced on 9 September that the national screening programme would be temporarily suspended. Carton Bros has since received confirmation from the HSE that the programme will recommence on site in our facility in Shercock, Co Cavan on Monday 28 September.

We will continue to work with the HSE to ensure the necessary preparations are in place for the resumption of the Screening Programme.

A: Following participation in the recent screening programme, we were informed that a number of tests returned as positive. Those employees who tested positive have self-isolated and continue to receive pay in line with the company sick pay scheme.

We have assisted the HSE with the track and trace work related to these cases, which is now complete.

A: Since the beginning of this pandemic we have been working closely with the authorities. In the event of positive test results, the company will continue to work with the HSE and follow all necessary HSE guidelines. Employees who test positive will be asked to self-isolate, at home, and will receive pay in line with the company sick pay scheme. The company will assist the HSE with the associated work-based track & trace.

A: Since the COVID-19 crisis began in March, we have put in place a comprehensive suite of internal protective measures and procedures to ensure the maximum safety of our teams. We have done this while maintaining critical supply chain continuity with our customers and ongoing communication with our employees. In that time, our employees have demonstrated a high level of commitment and compliance with these additional measures.

Carton Bros will continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the safest possible working conditions for our employees in the fight against Covid-19. Our focus remains on the health of our employees and the community, on business continuity and animal welfare.

A: The health and safety of our employees and the community in which we operate is the top priority for our business.

Since 2014, we have had a policy in relation to workwear and traditional Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and where a one-off deduction of €50 applies to all new employees for specific kit that includes steel toe boots, helmet, bodywarmer, padded trousers, wellingtons etc. As per the policy, this one-off payment deduction is refunded to employees after 12 weeks through payroll.

Following a review of PPE guidelines from the Health and Safety Authority, we have, with immediate effect, discontinued the policy.

For the avoidance of doubt, this policy from 2014 does not relate in any way to equipment provided for by the business to protect our employees from the current pandemic. PPE such as face masks, face shields, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes etc are provided for by the business, at no cost to employees. Since the crisis began in March, we have put in place a comprehensive suite of internal protective measures and procedures to ensure the maximum safety of our teams from Covid -19, while maintaining critical supply chain continuity with our customers. In March, we also widened our sick pay scheme so that it applies to all employees for the duration of the pandemic. In that time, our employees have demonstrated a high level of commitment and compliance with these additional measures.

We employ over 1,000 people, all of whom are directly employed by the business. The business has in place a company sick pay scheme, available to all employees and is strongly supported by a local community, whose farmers work to ensure a continuous supply of product in a safe environment.

Carton Bros will continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the safest possible working conditions for our employees in the fight against Covid-19. Our focus remains on the health of our employees and the community, on business continuity and animal welfare.