Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004
87 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made in the proposed transfer of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon Town; the number of employees of Enterprise Ireland that have indicated a willingness to transfer to Shannon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15478/04]
View answerThe Minister for Finance, in his budget speech, announced the decision of the Government to decentralise 300 of Enterprise Ireland's Dublin based staff to Shannon.
It is intended that the move will take place as soon as possible but will be dependent on the conclusion of national, public sector wide, discussions on the implementation of the decentralisation programme and the availability of suitable accommodation in Shannon.
Through the Office of Public Works, OPW, expressions of interest for the provision of accommodation have been sought by way of public advertisement in the national newspapers. Ten responses have been passed to Enterprise Ireland by the OPW. These range from the development of purpose-built accommodation to the availability of a potential site or sites. Enterprise Ireland is considering the options in consultation with OPW.
Enterprise Ireland has nominated a senior manager to sit on a group established within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to oversee the implementation of the decentralisation decision.
As requested by the Department of Finance, Enterprise Ireland has prepared an information pack on the Shannon area. The pack includes information on a number of topics such as transport systems, business facilities, accommodation, education facilities and sports and leisure facilities in Shannon. Enterprise Ireland is currently working on a detailed implementation plan as foreseen in the Flynn report of 31 March 2004, but has already indicated to staff what functions will be part of any decentralisation.
The posts in Enterprise Ireland to be transferred to Shannon have been advertised as part of the central applications facility, CAF, and applications and expressions of interest have been invited from 12 May 2004.
Enterprise Ireland has no information on the number of employees that have indicated a willingness to transfer to Shannon.
88 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, if the decentralisation of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon town proceeds, if it is her intention to amalgamate Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15479/04]
View answer89 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the decentralisation of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon Town proceeds, will certain functions currently exercised by SFADCo be transferred to Enterprise Ireland; the functions she considers suitable for such a transfer; the way SFADCo will be restructured to carry out its residual functions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15480/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to a similar question on 4 February 2004. In that response, I stated that I had been in touch with the board of Shannon Development on the impact of the move of Enterprise Ireland — EI — staff to Shannon. At my request, the board considered the issue and had written to me in the matter. It believed there is a logical case for the integration of the activities of Shannon Development in relation to indigenous businesses, which it carries out as agents for EI, into an expanded EI and that the modalities for such integration would have to be factored into the overall plans to give effect to the EI move. Since then I have been engaged in consultation with Shannon Development on the issue. This dialogue is ongoing and no final decision has been taken.
