Fás has settled a High Court dispute with its former director of health and safety Greg Craig on terms including payments to him of €175,000 and an apology from the State training agency.
The settlement was made without admission of liability.
The agency had moved to dismiss Mr Craig following the findings of an internal report but he previously secured interim orders from the High Court preventing the agency taking any further steps towards his dismissal.
Mr Craig, who claimed he was being made a scapegoat by the agency, also secured interim orders preventing the agency making any disparaging comments to the media about him.
The agency, which had denied any wrongdoing, later agreed to give undertakings in the terms of the orders
When the proceedings came before Mr Justice John MacMenamin today, the judge was told what would have been a “lengthy, costly and complex” action had been resolved on terms following a mediation conducted by senior counsel Mark Connaughton.
Those terms, it was stated, included an apology from Fás to Mr Craig in respect of adverse findings made in a report commissioned by the agency and Mr Craig’s acknowledgment that his employment with Fás has terminated.
Mr Craig, who was director of corporate affairs at Fás before becoming director of health and safety, will also receive payments of €125,000 from Fás, plus a contribution of €50,000 towards his legal costs.
Outside court afterwards, Mr Craig of Greenlea Grove, Terenure, Dublin, said the settlement had come as a relief to him.
Earlier, Oisin Quinn SC, for Mr Craig, told the judge, following mediation, the parties had come to an agreement and the action could be struck out.
Brain Murray SC, for Fás, said the case had been settled on terms including Mr Craig’s acknowledgment that his employment with the agency ended on September 5th last. Counsel said Mr Craig had also agreed he has no right to take up employment with Solas, the new education and training body to replace Fás.
Fás also apologised to Mr Craig in respect of adverse findings made in an independent report by consultancy firm Mazars following an investigation of grievances raised by Mr Craig concerning his employment.
The parties have both agreed to waive confidentiality and to consent to Mazars releasing information relating to Fás to satisfy any queries made by the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee.
Counsel said Mr Craig had entered into the settlement in circumstances where he was aware he will be appearing before the Public Accounts Committee and will make statements in relation to the matters at issue in the case.
Mr Craig will also receive a payment of €75,000 as an ex gratia payment for the termination of his employment, €35,000 in respect of annual leave and €15,000 as general damages, the court heard. Mr Craig is also to return all property in his possession belonging to the agency.
The settlement is in full and final settlement of all claims by Mr Craig against Fás and the State arising out of his employment with Fás, it was stated.
The judge welcomed the settlement and praised the efforts of all involved in resolving the matter.