Written answers

Thursday, 28 June 2007

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Departmental Offices

5:00 pm

Photo of John CreganJohn Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the location of Enterprise Ireland offices and the proposed move to East Point; the reason for the thinking behind this suggestion; if staff agreement has been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18352/07]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It has been a key strategic objective for Enterprise Ireland (EI) to bring all Dublin based staff together in one location since the Agency was established in 1998. The Board of Enterprise Ireland decided that the single site office in the East Point Business Park was the most appropriate from a number of perspectives, including value for money, flexibility, and customer service delivery. In September 2006, following the Board decision, EI signed a normal commercial 25 year lease on the units in East Point. The lease has in-built break clauses and a clause to enable the Agency to sub-let space, if required.

The functions hitherto carried out by Shannon Development in relation to the development of indigenous industry in the Mid-West Region were transferred to EI with effect from 1 January 2007. This transfer of functions also involves the transfer of posts from Shannon Development to EI. Enterprise Ireland is currently establishing its National Regional Development Headquarters in Shannon, which will include establishing the County Enterprise Board Support Unit in Shannon.

EI recently appointed a senior manager as Head of Regions and Entrepreneurship who will guide the transition and establishment of EI presence in the Mid-West Region.

EI has sourced a building in Shannon to accommodate the new functions being located in the Region and the staff transferring from Shannon Development.

Staff in Enterprise Ireland are represented by SIPTU, Amicus Professional and Amicus Technical union group. A key feature of the East Point project was the establishment of the East Point Steering Group, to drive Enterprise Ireland's relocation of Dublin staff to their new office facility. Representatives from SIPTU and the Amicus Professional Group have joined the East Point Steering Group, which also comprises of senior managers and is chaired by the CEO. This partnership forum is responsible for the development of all issues pertaining to the relocation of staff to East Point and following discussions, advice and resolution of these issues, the Group makes recommendations on relevant matters to the Enterprise Ireland Business Committee. The Group has met nine times to date and further meetings are scheduled for the coming weeks.

All EI Staff are updated regularly on the progress of the relocation to East Point and this process of active engagement and communication with staff will continue until the completion of the move. While this is broadly an operational matter for Enterprise Ireland (EI), I understand that EI will vacate the Glasnevin Site in the early part of 2008.

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