Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Employment Support Services.

Denis Naughten

Question:

110 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 8 May, the future plans for the Polymere Development Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The future of the centre is a matter for Enterprise Ireland and not one in which I have a direct function.

I am informed that Enterprise Ireland evaluated two options regarding the future of the centre as follows:

1) A proposal by two staff members in the centre, with the backing of an outside investor, to purchase its assets and establish a new spin-off company to continue and further develop the business of the centre.

2) A proposal from Athlone Institute of Technology to integrate the assets and space into a research centre at the institute together with establishing a campus company to provide technical and consultancy services to industry.

Having considered the merits of both options, on 10 May the board of Enterprise Ireland decided in favour of the proposal by the staff for a spin-off private sector company.