Bernard Allen
Ceist:9 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has for the restructuring of the Companies Office and Patents Office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restructuring of Companies and Patents Offices.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:30 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has for the restructuring of the Companies Office and Patents Office.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and No. 30 together.
In the context of the implementation of the Culliton report, the Government agreed with the recommendation of the Moriarty Task Force that a commercial, services oriented structure for both the Companies Registriation Office and the Patents Office should be developed. To this end the operations of both offices were reviewed throughout 1993. Arising from that review, it was clear there was an urgent need in both offices for additional staff to ensure their efficient operation and maximise their revenue earning potential. Additional staff are being recruited for both offices during the course of 1994. The new staffing structures will help to ensure that both offices operate in a more effective and efficient manner.
Why did the Government agree that the necessary decisions would be taken by June 1993 with a view to achieving a more commercial and service oriented structure for these companies? Almost nine months later the Minister is still in the process of review and examining staffing structures within those offices. Were we misled when the Government announced it would observe the schedules set out in the Moriarty report? Why have they not been observed?
There is more happening than that for which the Deputy is giving us credit. We carried out the review during 1993 and staff for these offices are being recruited throughout 1994. Our main concern is providing a service to companies and to patent applicants. The Companies Office revenue, for example, in 1992 was approximately £2.1 million. The anticipated revenue for 1994 could be perhaps £2.8 or £3 million. That does not, of course, include the funds going directly to the Revenue Commissioners by way of stamp duty which amount to an additional £1.7 million. Without the new staff in 1994 it would be difficult to earn this revenue. We should have revenue of over £4 million. The review has been completed and as a result additional staff are being recruited with the specific target of earning additional revenue.
Is it the Government's intention to change the status of these offices in some way? Will they have greater independence from Government in future? Will they become executive agencies? What will be their status in the future?
At present they are self-standing units within the Department. There are no proposals at this time to make them semi-State companies. We considered that option carefully throughout 1993 and came to the conclusion that it was not practical. We will continue to monitor that but earning revenue, rather them the structure, is our main concern. We are not at the stage where they can be made semi-State companies, although we might examine the idea of making them executive offices with a little more autonomy. Once the staffing situation is sorted out and the revenue is flowing, we can consider other possibilities.