Last year in response to the developments in Quinn Insurance and its impact on the employees' jobs, I established an inter-agency team comprising Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, IDA Ireland, the relevant County Enterprise Boards and the Department of Social Protection. The group meets regularly under the chairmanship of Dan Flinter and while I have not attended the meetings of the group, the appointment of Dan Flinter as chair is a signal of the importance which I attach to the work of this group. Mr. Flinter keeps my Department updated regularly on the work of the group.
The first meeting of the inter-agency team was held in Cavan on the 30th of April last year and to date 12 meetings of the Group have taken place and active ongoing dialogue with the Employee Representative Group has been a feature of the process. The 13th meeting of the Inter Agency Response Group will take place in Cavan on the 7th February 2011. The Chairs of the response groups, North and South, have met on 2 occasions.
The primary focus of the inter-agency team is to support the affected employees, to explore their options regarding employment, self employment through setting up a new business, skills development and to outline the supports available to them. Dedicated information centres staffed by the agencies were established on site in Cavan, Navan and Blanchardstown to support the affected workers. Briefings and information sessions for the employees concerned were delivered at all three sites by Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, the County Enterprise Boards, the Department of Social Protection and other agencies, education providers and financial institutions as required. I consider that the inter-agency team has been an effective solution to coordinate the activities of the relevant Government Departments, state development agencies and county enterprise boards, in order to support employment opportunities for the people concerned.
