Vol. 470 No. 4
274 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the State companies, if any, under the aegis of his Department; the number employed in each such company; and the amount of the State investment in and annual subvention to each, where applicable. [19347/96]
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following schedule:
Schedule
|
State Body |
Numbers Employed |
Exchequer Allocation (1996) |
|
£ |
||
|
Forfás(including NSAI) |
238 |
8.215m |
|
Forbairt (including Programmes in Advanced Technology) |
809.5 |
71.835m |
|
IDA Ireland |
280.5 |
121.419m |
|
SFADCo |
193 |
14.675m (a) |
|
NET |
3 |
100m (b) |
|
FÁS (including FÁS International Consulting Limited) |
2046.5 |
352.069m |
|
HSA |
104 |
3.9 |
|
County Enterprise Boards (35) |
140(authorised complement for 35 boards |
19.736m |
275 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of task forces set up by him since he took office; the nature of such task forces; and the cost of such task forces. [19380/96]
The Travers Task Force was set up by the Government in May 1995 to advise on how best to progress the STIAC report and how its 160 recommendations could be brought forward for implementation. The STIAC report contained a wide-ranging review of science, technology and innovation policy.
The task force was chaired by Mr. John Travers, chief executive of Forfás, and its membership included representatives of Government Departments with responsibility for science and technology matters.
The task force completed its report and presented it to Government in November 1995. It will be used as a basis for the Government response to the STIAC report. The response will be published very soon. The work of the task force did not involve any additional expenditure as the members were already paid by the State.
A Task Force for Industry Adjustment was established in March 1995 and its primary purpose was to identify areas of business at risk from competitive forces and to propose competitive strategies. In December 1995, the task force approved a change management programme which is designed to facilitate companies in implementing initiatives to increase their competitiveness. The enterprise development agencies will be responsible for administering this programme. The work of the task force is ongoing. There are no costs to my Department associated with this measure as it is co-funded by industry and the EU.
In March 1996, the terms of reference and composition of a Task Force on Enterprise and the Environment were announced. Broadly the aim of the task force will be to identify the challenges which industry will face arising from environmental concerns and to identify opportunities for business in providing environmental services and responding to the growing environmental consciousness of consumers. Three meetings have been held to date. The task force report will be finalised before year end. A provision of £15,000 has been made for 1996.
A Task Force for Tallaght was established in April to make proposals in response to the situation in Tallaght arising out of the announcement of the closure of Packard Electric Ltd. The task force reported in September 1996. Costs, which have yet to be finalised, total circa. £7,000 to date.
