VECs Cut From 33 To 16

The Tánaiste has been criticised over plans to cut the number of Vocational Education Committees by more than half.

Under the new plan the committees, which administer a small amount of secondary education and most of the adult education in the state, will undergo a process of amalgamation that will see their number cut from 33 to 16.

Making the announcement, Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan said legislation would now be brought forward to provide for the changes.

However, Labour spokesperson on Education and Science Ruairi Quinn this morning questioned the plan, asking what efficiencies and savings will be obtained from the decision.

"This whole exercise is not just an organisational and structural change. It will have a major impact upon the students, their parents and the social communities in which they receive their education. The process of change must not be allowed to disrupt the delivery of education."

Mr Quinn added that no implementation mechanism had been announced and that primary legislation would be required to allow the amalgamations to go ahead.

The amalgamations of the Vocational Education Committees (VECs) will take place right across the country, with the Co Dublin and Dún Laoghaire VECs being merged, as are the Galway city and county VECs.

The City of Limerick VEC is to merge with Co Limerick and Co Kerry VEC, while the Waterford city and county VECs will merge with Tipperary South Riding VEC.

Carlow, Kilkenny and Kildare VECs will be amalgamated as will Louth and Meath VECs, and Cavan and Monaghan VECs.

Other merges include Mayo and Sligo VECs, Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford VECs, Clare and Tipperary North Riding VECs.

Representative body, the Irish Vocational Education Association, said the VECS will be considering the announcement.

(DW)