John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress on the ITE/The Linguistic Institute of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9592/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if all legal issues raised in the ITE have been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9593/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Linguistic Institute of Ireland is currently advertising for new staff while it is in liquidation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9594/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 to 260, inclusive, together.

At an extraordinary general meeting of Institiúd Teangealaíochta Éireann, held on 18 July 2003, the company agreed to initiate a process of voluntary liquidation. This decision was a matter for the members in accordance with the memorandum and articles of association and relevant company law. I understand that a meeting of the executive committee of ITE on 5 December 2003 agreed a timetable for the appointment of a liquidator, who was subsequently appointed on 9 January 2004, and agreed to issue redundancy notices to staff in advance of this.

My Department has given a commitment to provide every assistance to the company in giving effect to its decision, in partnership with the staff of the institute, and has been working closely with the liquidator since his appointment in this regard. This includes exploring possible arrangements for the continuation of certain research activities 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 staff in line with general public service policy in these matters and subject to agreement with the Department of Finance. A number of ITE staff have been redeployed and options that may be available for remaining staff continue to be explored by the Department. The period of notice of redundancy for staff at ITE has been periodically extended by the liquidator to take account of the ongoing process of pursuing re-deployment options.

The Department remains in contact with the remaining ITE staff either through the liquidator, their union representatives or directly in order to keep them appraised as developments occur. The entitlements of those employees for whom appropriate redeployment arrangements are not made will be determined in accordance with the terms of their contracts.

There are a number of legal issues as regards the liquidation of ITE and the liquidator is progressing these matters. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on these issues. ITE conducted an all-Ireland survey on the use of the Irish language and the appointment of a research assistant on a short-term basis during 2005 is to assist with the completion of this survey.