asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current status of Bord na gCapall; the current status of the employees of the board and if they will be re-employed within the Department or other relevant body to continue the services of the board; if he will honour the Labour Court award in relation to their redundancy payments; if he will meet with representatives of the staff; the way in which it is intended to restore the computer link with the board that has been disrupted given the different computer system operated by the board and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Bord na gCapall.
92.
In the context of the 1987 Estimates the Government provided £250,000 to Bord na gCapall with a view to winding-up its activities with effect from 1 April 1987. This has now been done and staff have been made redundant. The staff have been paid their statutory entitlements and in addition extra-statutory compensation of two and a half weeks pay per year of service which is the maximum permissible under Government guidelines. In the circumstances a meeting with staff representatives does not arise. While the board has ceased to function it continues as a legal entity. Arrangements have been made by my Department for the continued operation of the Irish horse register and register of approved stallions and for the issuing of passports. These arrangements are working satisfactorily.