Vol. 577 No. 3
293 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the action being taken to secure the employment of workers at Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann following its liquidation; the discussions which have taken place with staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31135/03]
294 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures in place to ensure that the research work carried out by Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann is continued following the decision to liquidate the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31136/03]
364 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a situation was allowed to arise whereby Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann-The Linguistics Institute of Ireland was allegedly mismanaged for years and recently had no management. [31397/03]
365 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason he did not intervene when administrative problems were identified at Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann-The Linguistics Institute of Ireland; and the reason that neither the board of management nor his Department, which ultimately decides the fate of the institute, communicated with workers in advance of and after the board's decision to wind down Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann. [31398/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 293, 294, 364 and 365 together.
Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann is a company limited by guarantee and without share capital, having been incorporated in 1972. In recent years a value for money study and an independent consultancy study have made recommendations for the reorganisation of the institute's activities. My Department had discussions with representatives of the executive committee of the company on their future intentions, having regard to a number of operational issues. The operation of the company is a matter for the members in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association.
At an extraordinary general meeting of the company, on 18 July 2003, the company agreed to initiate a process of voluntary liquidation. This decision was taken prior to the finalisation of the Department's estimates for 2004 and was not related to financial considerations. I understand that the agreement reached at this meeting was communicated to staff by the company at this time. A meeting of the executive committee of Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann on 5 December agreed a timetable for the proposed appointment of a liquidator on 9 January 2004 and agreed to issue redundancy notices to staff in advance of this. A briefing for staff of the institute was held on 5 December to apprise them of developments.
My Department has given a commitment to provide every assistance to the company in giving effect to its future intentions, in partnership with the staff of the institute. This will include arrangements for ensuring the continuation of the research functions previously carried out by the institute and, in the interests of assisting with an orderly wind-up, facilitating appropriate re-deployment or other appropriate arrangements for permanent staff in line with general public service policy in these matters and subject to agreement with the Department of Finance. Officials from my Department are meeting with staff of Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann this week.
Options that may be available in this context are being explored and my Department will aim to be in a position to advise in this regard in advance of the expiration of the period of notice of redundancy and the appointment of a liquidator, who will assume responsibility for the control of the company's affairs upon appointment. The entitlements of those employees for whom appropriate re-deployment arrangements are not made will be determined in accordance with the terms of their contracts. I have asked to be kept informed of progress in these matters.
