Enterprise, Trade and Employment on track for two stage move to Carlow

Since the decentralisation programme was announced by the Government the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has made excellent progress in making the move a reality for its staff and for Carlow.

Carlow was selected by the Government as the location for the decentralisation of 250 staff from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The most up to date plans within the Department will see the movement of some very important and nationally significant functions of the Department to Carlow.

The new statutory Office of the Director for Employment Rights Compliance (ODERC), which is being established in line with the Government commitments in the new Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016 is intended to be headquartered in Carlow. This Office, which will be led by a Director at top management level, will manage the significantly enhanced Labour Inspectorate and Employment Rights areas of the Department and Carlow will be the headquarters for its national activity.

The Companies Registration Office will be relocating to Carlow. This key national office is responsible for the incorporation of companies and the registration of business names and actions such as the enforcement of the Companies Acts in relation to the filing obligations of companies. The Office has a very important role in making company information available to the public. The Registry of Friendly Societies RFS, responsible for the registration and general regulation of Industrial and Provident Societies, Friendly Societies and Trade Unions will also be based in Carlow.

The Work Permits area of the Department along with the Redundancy and Insolvency Payments areas are also part of the Carlow decentralisation move.

The site which the Office of Public Works has secured for the Department and on which the Department’s Carlow offices are to be located is a prime town centre location alongside an award-winning waterside park. Construction on the site is expected to commence in Quarter 1, 2007 and is expected to take approximately 24 months to complete.

The Department already has 104 Carlow-bound staff in place within the Department, and a further 78 Carlow-bound applicants yet to be assigned to the Department. In order to facilitate staff who wish to move earlier than the projected permanent building completion date will allow, the Department is progressing the option of an advance move to Carlow. The Department has indicated that work on this option is progressing well and subject to the availability of suitable accommodation, could allow for the movement of approximately 80 decentralising staff to Carlow during the first half of 2007.

Speaking about the Department’s decentralisation to Carlow, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D. said: “ I am delighted with the progress that has been made by my Department in implementing the decentralisation programme. Carlow is a progressive and enterprising county and I know that staff opting to decentralise will benefit from the very many advantages that Carlow has to offer. Carlow itself will also benefit from the relocation of 250 staff and their families, which will contribute to the economic well-being of the area.”

ENDS

ETE 1662