Vol. 577 No. 4
189 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to ensure continuity of the research work that ITE - the Linguistics Institute has carried out since 1972 and continuity of employment for those who have been doing the research or supporting it administratively. [31537/03]
At an extraordinary general meeting of ITE, held on 18 July 2003, the company agreed to initiate a process of voluntary liquidation. I understand that a meeting of the executive committee of ITE on 5 December agreed a timetable for the proposed appointment of a liquidator on 9 January 2004 and agreed to issue redundancy notices to staff in advance of this. A briefing for staff of the institute was held on 5 December to apprise them of developments.
My Department has given a commitment to provide every assistance to the company in giving effect to its future intentions, in partnership with the staff of the institute. This will include arrangements for ensuring the continuation of the research functions previously carried out by the institute and, in the interests of assisting with an orderly wind-up, facilitating appropriate re-deployment or other appropriate arrangements for permanent staff in line with general public service policy in these matters and subject to agreement with the Department of Finance.
Options that may be available in this context are now being explored and my Department will aim to be in a position to advise on progress in this regard in advance of the expiration of the period of notice of redundancy and the appointment of a liquidator who will assume responsibility for the control of the company's affairs upon appointment. The entitlements of those employees for whom appropriate re-deployment arrangements are not made will be determined in accordance with the terms of their contracts. I have asked to be kept informed of progress in these matters.
