Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

Concerns have been expressed to me about a proposal to close a branch office of the Blackwater Avondhu Partnership in Mallow. Some members of the board are concerned about the proposal because the office in Mallow supervises the local development social inclusion programme, LDSIP, and rural transport programme. I attest to the good work done by the office which has been in operation since 1996. I also share the concerns communicated to me by board members about the closure of the office as it will create significant potential for a diminution of the service provided in the Mallow and north Cork region.

I am also concerned that proposals have been made by the Blackwater Avondhu Partnership to instigate a round of voluntary redundancies in advance of any announcement in the budget of a reduction of a ministerial budget line for such groups to provide services. I am further concerned about certain corporate governance issues which arise as a result of the decision to which I refer. At the most recent board meeting of the Blackwater Avondhu Partnership, it was communicated to members that no decision had been made on the closure of the Mallow office or on seeking a round of voluntary redundancies. Despite this, staff have been notified that the office will close and a voluntary redundancy package will be offered. They must give their decisions on the package by next Monday.

Has the Minister given a direction to the partnership that the office in Mallow should close? Has the board or chief executive officer communicated to the Department an intention to seek voluntary redundancies? Has the Department communicated with the partnership about the need to seek redundancies and close one of its operational centres, namely, the Mallow office?

I ask that the Department give the board of Blackwater Avondhu Partnership an undertaking that all rules and regulations pertaining to corporate governance procedures will be adhered to as regards the responsibilities of the board, as distinct from the chief executive officer. I also ask that the Department issue guidance to the board in this respect.

The individuals who communicated with me are board members. While some of them vehemently oppose the closure of the Mallow office, they accept the argument that if rationalisation is required services will be moved to another office in Fermoy. They seek to ensure that the process applied to staff members in the Mallow office is completely transparent, the wishes of board members are observed and no person or persons act in a unilateral fashion. The reason I saw fit to raise this issue is that concern has arisen about the actions of some individuals with regard to the continuation of services in Mallow. I share this concern.

While I accept that we live in constrained times and the amalgamation of two entities sometimes causes one entity to suffer, I am adamant that the LDSIP, a phenomenally successful programme, should continue within the amalgamated structure. The rural transport programme, which delivers excellent services, should also continue, as should the other services such as those at the Mallow office.

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