Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
536 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans his Department has to fulfil its promise regarding the continued support for the ITE’s research functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22350/04]
View answer537 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has discussed the future of the approximately 20 ITE workers who for the past nine months have worked under daily threat of redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22351/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.
At 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 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.
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 has been working closely with the liquidator since his appointment 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.
A number of ITE staff have been redeployed at this stage and all options that may be available for remaining staff continue to be explored by my Department. The period of notice of redundancy for staff at ITE has been periodically extended by the liquidator to take account of the ongoing process of pursuing redeployment options and of the interim operational needs of the company during the wind-up period. I understand from the liquidator that he has extended the current period of notice of redundancy for remaining staff to 15 October 2004. Officials from my Department have met with all members of staff of ITE and my Department remains in ongoing contact with remaining ITE staff individually, through the liquidator, and through their union representatives in order to keep them appraised 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.
