Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
306 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has withdrawn funding to the Linguistics Institute of Ireland; the reasons for the withdrawal of those funds; the level of funding granted to this institute in each of the last ten years; the reason the funds are being withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5938/04]
View answerAt an extraordinary general meeting of ITE, held on 18 July 2003, the company agreed to initiate a process of voluntary liquidation. This decision was a matter for the members in accordance with their memorandum and articles of association and relevant company law and was not related to financial considerations.
I understand that a meeting of the executive committee of ITE on 5 December agreed a timetable for the appointment of a liquidator, who was subsequently appointed on 9 January 2004, and agreed to issue redundancy notices to staff in advance of this. I understand from the liquidator that he has extended the period of notice of redundancy for the staff to 27 February 2004. Officials from my Department met with all members of staff of ITE in December, 2003. At the request of SIPTU, a further meeting was held on 28 January, 2004 with that union and its staff representatives.
My Department has given a commitment to provide every assistance to the company in giving effect to its decision, in partnership with the staff of the institute, and is working closely with the liquidator in this regard. This includes exploring possible arrangements for the continuation of certain research activities 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 staff in line with general public service policy in these matters and subject to agreement with the Department of Finance.
Options that may be available in this context continue to be explored by my Department. In this regard staff will be kept appraised as developments occur. 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. The level of funding provided to the institute over the last ten years is as follows: 1995, €1.159 million; 1996, €1.207 million; 1997, €1.258 million; 1998, €1.388 million; 1999, €1.483 million; 2000, €1.638 million; 2001, €1.657 million; 2002, €1.764 million; 2003, €1.985 million; 2004, provision for €2.501 million.
