Olwyn Enright
Question:157 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation at the Linguistics Institute of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21037/04]
View answerThursday, 8 July 2004
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Written answers
At an extraordinary general meeting of ITÉ, 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.
A meeting of the executive committee of ITÉ, on 5 December 2003, 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 in line with interim operational requirements and to allow for redeployment options to be pursued.
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 redeployment 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.
In line with this, the redeployment of ITÉ staff is now in progress and staff are kept apprised as developments occur. The entitlements of those employees for whom appropriate redeployment arrangements are not made will be determined in accordance with the terms of their contracts.