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

Question 197: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to date of the decentralisation of FÁS to Birr; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2602/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to transfer its head office including some 383 posts to Birr, County Offaly, by 2009.

Negotiations for the purchase of a site are continuing between FÁS and its owner. In the meantime, FÁS has already rented accommodation in Birr Technology Centre. FÁS currently has two staff members physically located in Birr and another staff member has agreed to re-locate, bringing the total to 3 staff members. It is anticipated that between 40 to 50 staff will be located in Birr by the end of the year. Staff located in Birr will consist of volunteers and new recruits, who continue to have the decentralisation clause in their contracts.

To date a total of 102 FÁS staff have expressed an interest in relocating to Birr, broken down as follows:

26 FÁS staff have volunteered to move (outside of CAF)

6 FÁS staff have signed up through the CAF

34 New Entrants have signed contracts with the relocation clause

36 Promoted staff have signed contracts with the relocation clause, however following industrial action these cases are being examined by the parties and the matter has been referred to the Labour Court.