Laid-off staff at Clerys say the refusal of the store's former owners to hear their concerns is a 'betrayal.'

Hundreds of people turned out in support of the 130 staff and over 300 concession workers at a rally outside the store this afternoon.

It comes after liquidators told laid-off workers there are no funds to pay redundancies, with the full cost to be claimed from the State.

Following a meeting at Liberty Hall with liquidators from KPMG, unions are now calling on the public to support their demonstrations outside the O'Connell Street store in the days ahead.

John Finn and Maureen Deane were long time staff at Clerys. They say they are devastated.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the treatment of workers at Clerys was 'very insensitive' and promised no delay in processing redundancy payments for Clerys staff. 

The Taoiseach told the Dáil that a small number of payroll staff may be retained during the liquidation process.

Employment Minister Ged Nash is expected to meet representatives of KPMG at Government Buildings to discuss the situation.

Mr Kenny has welcomed the liquidators' willingness to discuss the issues, but he says the workers have been treated poorly.

Teresa Hannick, SIPTU sector organiser, told Newstalk Breakfast they want answers as to what happens now.

Meanwhile, a group of up to 50 companies who operated concessions at Clerys are owed between €2m and €3m - and are demanding that KPMG release up to €3m worth of stock to them immediately.