Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 April 2014
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the procedure to be followed by persons (details supplied) in County Kildare formerly employed with Kildare Enterprise Board and now wishing to transfer to the LEO; if they can retain their current status in so doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15911/14]
View answerThe Government Decision of April 2012 to reform the national micro and small business support infrastructure sees the dissolution of the 35 existing County Enterprise Boards and the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland. The functions will then be carried out by the Local Authorities on behalf of Enterprise Ireland through the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in each Local Authority area.
Under the Decision, staff in the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were to be given an option to choose either Forfás/Enterprise Ireland or their Local Authority as their employer upon dissolution of the CEBs. To give effect to this part of the Decision, all staff in the CEBs were invited to exercise their option before Friday 14 March 2014, with a further 2 week “cooling off” period during which they could change their mind.
Under the provisions of the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act, 2014, I am required to make designations in writing for each of the staff in accordance with their stated preference.
CEB staff will transfer to their new employer in their current sanctioned substantive grade. It is intended to effect the staff designation process before the CEBs are dissolved later this month.
