Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2006
128 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has had discussions with the director general and board of FÁS to ascertain if the proposed decentralisation will be cancelled in view of the opposition voiced by staff through their trade union to its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18189/06]
View answerUnder the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to move its head office to Birr, County Offaly. FÁS is one of the seven State agencies identified as early movers by the decentralisation implementation group from among the 30 agencies covered by the programme. A "relocation clause" included in recruitment and promotion contracts has given rise to industrial action by SIPTU. The dispute was the subject of a Labour Court recommendation.
In advance of the industrial action discussions between both parties were held on two occasions under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission to see whether progress could be made. Following lengthy talks at which both sides put forward proposals, it was unfortunately not possible to find a resolution and the industrial action went ahead on a phased basis. Differences remain between the parties and, naturally, I strongly support using all the established consultation mechanisms and I hope that further discussions will lead to a resolution of the issue.
I have discussed progress regarding the decentralisation of FÁS with its Chairman and Director General in recent months.
