Mr. Martin D. Shanahan:

The purpose of integration, as stated by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the time of the decision, was to improve the capability to develop and implement policy and to harness the capacity of Forfás and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in a synergistic way.

On the dissolution of Forfás, the organisation's policy research capability and staff associated with that function will transfer to the Department. A number of staff will transfer to other bodies and some have already transferred to IDA Ireland with the property function. The staff who are associated with the Irish National Accreditation Board, INAB, will transfer to the Health and Safety Authority where the functions currently carried out by the INAB will be vested.

Implemented correctly, this change could have a positive impact in driving enterprise policy and implementation. As with any change, there are risks associated with it and we must be mindful of that. The protection of the policy research capability within Forfás is a key part of the integration. The Department and Forfás currently work together very closely, particularly in the policy area. The ability to undertake evidence-based analysis will be protected. The capability transferring from Forfás will form the core of a strategic policy division within the Department. All staff who are transferring will do so at their existing grades, which are analogous to Civil Service grades. As such, there is a direct mapping.

As to when the change will take place, the heads of the Bill have been published, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is drafting the appropriate legislation and the Bill is scheduled to be published in the autumn. The timeframe for its progress through the Houses then comes into play. One would envisage that the process could be completed in the first six months of next year, although that will be dependent on a number of things happening.