Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 476: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the sum paid to date in 2005 to a company (details supplied) to carry out the liquidation of an institute (details supplied); when this liquidation will be fully completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38003/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 477: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of employees currently employed by an institute (details supplied); their role as the institute is currently in liquidation; the reason a post of researcher has been advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38004/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.

At an extraordinary general meeting of ITE, 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 their 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.

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 redeployment 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 total of seven staff remain employed by ITE. 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 projects and publications to be finalised in ITE. As part of the completion of the liquidation process the liquidator is also progressing these matters. In early 2005 the liquidator advertised for a researcher to assist in a specific project which was ongoing at the institute. A researcher was appointed in late March and that contract will expire in December 2005 and will not be renewed. There are no proposals to advertise for a further researcher. While no date has yet been formally set for completion of the liquidation, I understand that considerable progress has been made in recent months towards resolving a number of complex issues which have arisen and I am hopeful that early in the new year it will be possible to set a date for completion of the liquidation.

From 1 January 2005 to 5 December 2005 a total of €100,000 has been paid to the liquidator of which €50,200 relates to the work carried out for 2004.