Vol. 571 No. 1
243 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures she is taking to ensure that information technology jobs in financial institutions are not out-sourced and subsequently moved overseas to developing countries; and her views on the threat being faced by information technology staff working for a company (details supplied) in County Dublin. [19726/03]
Financial and other business enterprises engage in restructuring that can lead to out-sourcing or relocation of business functions including information technology. This is a standard feature of business activity and it impacts on many locations, including Ireland. In order to reduce the possibility of relocation, the State development agencies work with client companies to identify the measures required to ensure that they are successful. Companies must continually upgrade their operations and adapt in order to meet the changing economic environment in the marketplace. Where outsourcing entails a change of employer and constitutes a transfer of undertakings within the meaning of the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (SI No. 131 of 2003), the rights and obligations of the original owner – the transferor – arising from an employment contract relationship existing at the date of the transfer shall, by reason of such transfer, be transferred to the new owner – the transferee.
In the particular case referred to in the Deputy's question, I understand that out-sourcing arrangements have been agreed by the parties concerned following their acceptance of proposals put forward by an independent mediator.
